For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. Employees or designees of the city designated to enforce this section.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY. Activities subject to NPDES construction permits. Currently these include construction projects resulting in land disturbance of one acre or more. Such activities include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and demolition.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination thereof, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety, property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.
ILLICIT CONNECTION. A physical connection to an MS4 that primarily conveys non-storm water discharges other than uncontaminated groundwater; or a physical connection not authorized or permitted by the local authority, where a local authority requires authorization or a permit for physical connections.
ILLICIT DISCHARGE. Any discharge to, or seepage into, an MS4 that is not composed entirely of storm water or uncontaminated groundwater except discharges pursuant to an NPDES permit.
INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY. Activities subject to NPDES industrial permits as defined in 40 C.F.R. § 122.26(b)(14).
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4). Publicly-owned facilities by which storm water is collected and/or conveyed, including but not limited to any roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains, pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human-made or altered drainage channels, reservoirs, and other drainage structures.
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) STORM WATER DISCHARGE PERMIT. A permit issued by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States, whether the permit is applicable on an individual, group, or general area-wide basis.
OUTFALL OR DISCHARGE POINT. Any location on the MS4 owned or operated by the permittee that discharges directly to a surface water of the state, or any location on the MS4 owned or operated by the permittee that discharges to any other separate storm sewer system before discharging to a surface water of the state.
PERSON. Any individual, association, organization, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity recognized by law and acting as either the owner or as the owner’s agent.
POLLUTANT. Anything which causes or contributes to pollution. POLLUTANTS may include, but are not limited to: paints, varnishes, and solvents; oil and other automotive fluids; non-hazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes; refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, and accumulations, so that same may cause or contribute to pollution; floatables; pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; hazardous substances and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens; dissolved and particulate metals; animal wastes; wastes and residues that result from constructing a building or structure; and noxious or offensive matter of any kind.
PREMISES. Any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land whether improved or unimproved including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips.
STORM WATER. Any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely of water from any form of natural precipitation, and resulting from such precipitation.
SURFACE WATERS OF THE STATE. Waters defined consistent with Part 4 Rules (Mich. Admin. Code R §§ 323.1041 through 323.1117) to mean all of the following, but not including drainage ways and ponds used solely for wastewater conveyance, treatment, or control:
(1) The Great Lakes and their connecting waters;
(2) All inland lakes;
(3) Rivers;
(4) Streams;
(5) Impoundments;
(6) Open drain; and
(7) Other surface bodies of water within the confines of the state.
WASTEWATER. Any water or other liquid, other than uncontaminated storm water, discharged from a facility.
(Ord. 1490, passed 6-29-2020)