923.04 PROHIBITED DISCHARGES; PRETREATMENT.
(a) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.
(b) Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as combined sewers or storm sewers, or to a natural outlet approved by the Director of Administration. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, on approval of the Director of Administration, to a storm sewer, combined sewer or natural outlet. (Ord. 85-21. Passed 7-10-85.)
(c) No person shall access the sewer system or POTW for any activity including discharge of hauled septic or industrial wastes except at locations and at times as designated by the Director. Any removal of manhole lids, or other access to the sewer system for the purpose of discharging wastes at times and/or locations other than those designated by the Director, or without the express permission of the Director, shall be considered a violation and shall be subject to enforcement action including fines and penalties allowed under this chapter.
(Ord. 1991-8. Passed 3-18-91.)
(d) General Discharge Prohibitions. No discharger shall contribute or cause to be discharged, directly or indirectly, any of the following described substances into the wastewater system or otherwise to the facilities of the City:
(1) Pollutants which result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors or fumes within the POTW in a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems, or pollutants which create a fire or explosion hazard in the POTW, including, but not limited to, wastestreams with a closed cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit or sixty degrees Centigrade using the test method specified in 40 CFR 261.21.
(Ord. 1991-8. Passed 3-18-91.)
(2) Solids or viscous substances in quantities or of such size capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operations of the sewage works such as, but not limited to ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, woods, unground garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails, and disposable dishes, disposable diapers, cups, milk containers, etc., either whole or ground, by garbage grinders; or any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease, petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil or products of mineral oil origin in amounts that will cause interference or pass through the POTW, or similar substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between thirty-two and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. (Ord. 1991-45. Passed 9-3-91.)
(3) Any wastewater having a pH less than 5.5 or higher than 10.5 or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment or personnel of the system.
(Ord. 1989-46. Passed 9-5-89.)
(4) Any wastewater containing toxic pollutants in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment process, or constitute a hazard to humans or animals.
(Ord. 1985-21. Passed 7-10-85.)
(5) Any noxious or malodorous liquids, gases or solids which either singly or by interaction are capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life or are sufficient in strength to prevent entry into the sewers for their maintenance and repair. When present, it shall be the sole responsibility of the owner to control or eliminate the emission of noxious or offensive odors emanating from the owner’s facility into the sewer system, and the Director may require an owner whose facility is discharging such noxious or offensive odors to take all necessary steps to eliminate such odors from the sewer system. (Ord. 2011-21. Passed 9-6-11.)
(6) Any substance which may cause the POTW's effluent or treatment residues, sludges or scums to be unsuitable for reclamation and reuse or to interfere with the reclamation process. In no case, shall a substance discharged to the POTW cause the POTW to be in noncompliance with sludge use or disposal criteria, guidelines or regulations developed under Section 405 of the Act; any criteria, guidelines or regulations affecting sludge use or disposal developed pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act; or State standards applicable to the sludge management method being used.
(7) Any substance which will cause the POTW to violate its NPDES Permit and/or other disposal system permits.
(8) Any substance with objectionable color not removed in the treatment process, such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions.
(9) Any wastewater having a temperature which will inhibit biological activity in the POTW treatment plant resulting in interference; but in no case, wastewater with a temperature at the introduction into the POTW which exceeds forty degrees Centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
(Ord. 1985-21. Passed 7-10-85.)
(10) Any slug load.
(Ord. 1989-21. Passed 4-17-89.)
(11) Any wastewater containing any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as exceed limits established by the City in compliance with applicable State or Federal regulations.
(12) Any wastewater which causes a hazard to human life or creates a public nuisance.
(e) Limitations on Wastewater Strength.
(1) Local limits. No discharger shall discharge wastewater containing pollutant quantities in excess of the limits enumerated in their industrial discharge permit as issued in accordance with Section 923.05.
(2) National Categorical Pretreatment Standards. National Categorical Pretreatment Standards as promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to the Act shall be met by all dischargers of the regulated industrial categories.
(3) State requirements. State requirements and limitations on discharges to the POTW shall be met by all dischargers which are subject to such standards.
(f) Provisions for Modifying Standards.
(1) The City reserves the right to amend this chapter in order to assure compliance by the City with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.
(2) All categorical standards promulgated by the U.S. EPA shall be included by reference as part of the limitations defined in subsection (d)(2) hereof.
(3) All State and other governmental standards shall be included by reference as part of the limitations defined in subsection (d)(3) hereof.
(4) Any changes to the standards contained in this chapter shall include a reasonable time schedule for compliance. Such time schedule shall not exceed two years except under unusual circumstances and only after the approval of the Director of Administration.
(5) An application for modification of any National Categorical Pretreatment Standard may be considered for submittal to the Regional Administrator by the City when:
A. The wastewater treatment plant meets the consistent removal criteria defined in 40 CFR 403.7(a);
B. Sufficient operating data is obtained in accordance with 40 CFR 403.7(c). All information necessary to apply for a modification must be obtained by the industrial user(s), at no cost to the City.
(g) Dilution. No discharger shall increase the use of potable or process water in any way, nor mix separate waste streams for the purpose of diluting a discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with the standards set forth in this chapter and/or any industrial discharge permit issued hereunder.
(Ord. 1985-21. Passed 7-10-85; Ord. 1991-8. Passed 3-18-91.)
(h) Accidental Discharges. Each discharger shall provide protection from accidental discharge of prohibited or regulated materials or substances established by this chapter. Where necessary, facilities to prevent accidental discharge of prohibited materials shall be provided and maintained at the discharger's cost and expense. Detailed plans showing facilities and operating procedures to provide this protection shall be submitted to the City for review and shall be approved by the City before construction of the facility. Employers shall instruct all employees who may cause or discover such a discharge with respect to emergency notification procedure. Review and approval of such plans and operating procedures by the City shall not relieve the discharger from the responsibility to modify its facility as necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter.
All categorical and noncategorical industrial users shall notify the POTW immediately of all discharges that could cause problems to the POTW including any slug loadings.
(Ord. 1989-21. Passed 4-17-89; Ord. 1991-8. Passed 3-18-91.)
(i) Pretreatment Facilities.
(1) If the discharger installs pretreatment and/or control facilities, the design, installation and operating procedures for such facilities shall be subject to review and approval of the City and Ohio EPA, and subject to the requirements of all applicable local and State codes, ordinances and laws. All facilities shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
(2) The costs for constructing and/or maintaining any facilities required by this chapter shall be the responsibility of the discharger. The discharger shall have appropriately qualified and experienced personnel available to operate and maintain any pretreatment facility.
(3) Review and approval of any facilities and/or operating procedures by the City shall not relieve the discharger from the responsibility to modify its facility as necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 1985-21. Passed 7-10-85; Ord. 1991-8. Passed 3-18-91.)
(j) Sanitary Sewers.
(1) Sewage, including wastes from water closets, urinals, lavatories, sinks, bathtubs, showers, laundries, cellar floor drains, garage floor drains, bars, soda fountains, cuspidors, refrigerator drips, drinking fountains, stable floor drains and other objectionable waste shall be discharged into a sanitary or combined sewer and in no case into a storm sewer.
(2) Industrial waste shall not be discharged into a storm water sewer.
(Ord. 1986-25. Passed 9-15-86.)
(k) Interceptors Required. Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided for both new and existing buildings when, in the opinion of the Plumbing Inspector with advice from the City Engineer, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts or any inflammable wastes, sand and other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the Plumbing Inspector and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed according to Section 4101:2-51-24 of the Ohio Plumbing Code.
(Ord. 1989-21. Passed 4- 17-89.)
(Ord. 1989-21. Passed 4- 17-89.)
(1) Maintenance of Interceptors.
(1) A. Cleaning/pumping. The user at the user’s expense shall maintain all grease traps and interceptors. Maintenance of “under the sink” grease traps shall include the removal of all fats, oil and grease from the detention compartment of the trap. Removal shall be accomplished by hand dipping or scooping the collected grease from the trap. Baffles shall be removed, cleaned and reinstalled.
B. Maintenance of grease/oil interceptors shall include the complete removal of all contents, including floating materials, wastewater and bottom sludges and solids. Decanting or discharging of removed waste back into the interceptor from which the waste was removed or any other grease interceptor, for the purpose of reducing the volume to be disposed is prohibited.
(2) Cleaning/pumping frequency.
A. “Under the sink” grease traps must be cleaned no less than weekly. If grease traps are more than fifty percent (50%) full when cleaned weekly, the frequency shall be increased.
B. Grease/oil interceptors must be pumped out completely every month, or more frequently as needed to prevent the carryover of grease into the sanitary sewer collection system, unless it can be demonstrated to the City that the pumping frequency can be extended past the monthly period. Persons other than the owner who are engaged by the owner to clean or inspect an interceptor shall be properly registered in accordance with Section 1331.071.
(3) Disposal of grease interceptor waste. All waste removed from each grease interceptor must be disposed of at a facility approved by the City to receive such waste in accordance with the provisions of this program. In no way shall the pumpage be returned to any private or public portion of the sanitary sewer collection system.
(4) Additives. The use of additives for the emulsion or reduction of oils and greases is prohibited unless approved by the City. Such additives shall include, but not be limited to, biological enzymes or chemical agents.
(5) Chemical treatment. Chemical treatments such as drain cleaners, acid and other chemicals designed to dissolve or remove grease shall not be allowed to enter the grease interceptor.
(6) Dishwashers. Discharge from dishwashers shall be tempered to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or lower before discharge to the grease trap/interceptor.
(7) Garbage grinder/disposal. The use of garbage grinders/disposals is prohibited.
(8) Reporting. Each grease interceptor user shall submit on a monthly basis a report to the City showing proof of their interceptor cleaning. The report must be submitted no later than five business days after the cleaning, and shall include a copy of the receipt from the cleaning company.
(9) Maintenance log. Each user shall maintain on-site and in a location accessible to City inspectors a Grease Trap/Interceptor Cleaning Record Maintenance Log indicating each pumping for the previous twelve months. This log shall include the date inspected, inspected by, date cleaned, and cleaned by. The users of grease traps/interceptors shall allow the City representative to see the log and/or inspect the trap/interceptor at any reasonable time. If it is found that the trap/interceptor needs to be cleaned, the City shall so order in writing. If the trap/interceptor is not cleaned in an approved manner within seven calendar days, the City may shut the water off to the building or proceed according to law to prosecute the owner.
By January 31 of each year, the owners of grease trap/interceptors shall submit a copy of the maintenance and inspection log for the previous calendar year to the City.
(10) Liability of owner for blockages. If blockages occur in the sewer collection system downstream from properties with traps/interceptors; and if upon inspection of the traps/interceptors it is found that the traps/interceptors need to be cleaned, then the owner or owners of such traps/interceptors shall be held liable for any damages resulting from such blockages.
(11) Enforcement. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 923.11 herein, authorized City staff shall have the administrative authority to enforce this program. Whenever it is found that any user has violated or is violating this program, or any prohibition, limitation, or requirements contained herein, the City will initiate corrective action, which may include but be limited to the following:
A. Notice of violation. City staff may issue to any user a written notice stating the nature of violation. Within seven days of the date of notice, a plan for the satisfactory correction thereof shall be submitted to City staff by the user.
B. Consent order. City staff may enter into consent orders, assurances of voluntary compliance, or other similar documents establishing an agreement with the user responsible for noncompliance. Such orders will include specific action to be taken by the user to correct the noncompliance with a time period specified by the order.
C. Administrative order. When City staff find that a user has violated or continues to violate the provisions set forth in this program, or the order issued thereunder, s/he may issue an order for compliance to the user responsible for the discharge. Orders may contain any requirements as might be reasonable, necessary and appropriate to address the noncompliance, including but not limited to the installation of pretreatment technology, additional self-monitoring and management practices.
D. Emergency suspension of services. The City may suspend water or sewer service when such suspension is necessary, in the opinion of City staff, in order to stop an actual or threatened discharge which:
1. Presents or may present an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons or the environment;
2. Causes stoppages, sanitary sewer overflows, or excessive maintenance to be performed to prevent stoppages in the sanitary sewer collection system;
3. Causes interference to the POTW; or
4. Causes the City to violate any condition of its NPDES permits.
Any person notified of a suspension of the water or sewer service shall take immediate steps to cease or eliminate the discharge. In the event of a failure of the person to promptly comply voluntarily with the suspension order, City staff shall take such steps as they, in their discretion, deem necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the POTW system or sewer connection or endangerment to any individuals, including immediate termination of water or sewer service. City staff shall reinstate the water or sewer service when such conditions causing the suspension have been eliminated and the reconnection fee paid. A detailed written statement submitted by the user describing the causes of the harmful discharge and the measure(s) taken to prevent any future occurrence shall be submitted to City staff within fifteen days of the date of occurrence.
E. Administrative penalty. Notwithstanding any other remedies or procedures available to the City, any user who is found to have violated any provision of this program, or any order issued hereunder, may be assessed an administrative penalty is an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation, and each day of noncompliance shall be deemed a separate and distinct violation. Such assessment may be added to the user’s next scheduled sewer service charge, and City staff shall have such other collection remedies as are available at law.
F. Request for hearing and appeal. Any person affected by a penalty, order or directive of the City issued pursuant to this program may, within ten days of the issuance thereof, appeal in writing to the City Director of Administration for a hearing as to the enforcement of the penalty, order or directive. The requested hearing shall be held as soon as possible after receiving the request, at which time the person affected shall have an opportunity to be heard. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Director of Administration shall issue a written decision to the user affirming, modifying or rescinding the penalty, order or directive at issue.
(Ord. 2006-7. Passed 4-3-06.)