Carpinteria Municipal Code Art. II Discharge Prohibitions

A. Other than stormwater, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the municipal storm drain system or watercourses any materials, including but not limited to pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards. Wastes deposited in streets in proper waste receptacles for the purposes of collection are exempted from this prohibition.

1. Illegal discharges from industrial and/or commercial sources into the storm drain system or waters of the state include, but are not limited to the following, and are prohibited, unless the discharge is permitted under a separate NPDES permit, or is allowed by the proper application of BMPs approved by the city.

a. Water from the cleaning of gas stations, vehicle service garages or other types of vehicle service facilities;

b. Water, cleansers or solvents from the cleaning of vehicles, machinery or equipment, and other such commercial and industrial activities;

c. Water from the washing or rinsing of vehicles containing soap detergents/solvents or other cleaners (individual private vehicle washing is exempt per Section 8.10.100(B));

d. Water from the washing or rinsing of vehicles with or without soap, from auto body repair shops;

e. Water from the cleaning or rinsing of vehicle engine, undercarriage or auto parts cleaning;

f. Vehicle fluids;

g. Mat wash and hood cleaning water from food service facilities;

h. Food and kitchen cleaning water from food service facilities;

i. Leakage from dumpsters or trash containers;

j. Water from the cleaning or rinsing of garbage dumpster areas and areas where garbage is stored or contained;

k. Water from pressure washing, steam cleaning and hand scrubbing of sidewalks, gutters, plazas, alleyways, outdoor eating areas, steps, building exteriors, walls, driveways and other outdoor surfaces;

l. Wastewater or cleaning fluids from carpet cleaning;

m. Swimming pool and spa water, unless dechlorinated;

n. Wash out from concrete trucks;

o. Runoff from areas where hazardous substances, including diesel fuel, gasoline and motor oil are stored/except as allowed per Section 8.10.200;

p. Super-chlorinated water normally associated with the disinfection of potable water systems;

q. Construction debris, such as, but not limited to, paint, dirt and wash water;

r. Sewage or other forms of pollutants from recreational activities including boating and camping, and from recreational vehicles and boats;

s. Agricultural or other industry waste or brines.

B. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the storm drain system is prohibited except as described as follows:

1. Discharges from the following sources will not be considered a source of pollutants to the storm drain system and to waters of the state when properly managed to ensure that no potential pollutants are present, and therefore they shall not be considered illegal discharges unless determined to cause a violation of the provisions of the Clean Water Act, the Porter-Cologne Act, or this chapter: Potable water line flushing; pumped groundwater not containing pollutants and other discharges from potable water sources; incidental runoff from landscape irrigation and lawn watering; diverted stream flows; rising groundwater; groundwater infiltration (as defined at 40 CFR Section 35.2005(20)) not containing pollutants; foundation and footing drains not containing pollutants; water from crawl space pumps not containing pollutants; air conditioning condensation; non-industrial roof drains not containing pollutants; springs; individual private vehicle washing; flows from riparian habitats and wetlands; dechlorinated swimming pool or spa discharges; and flows from fire-fighting activities.

2. The prohibition shall not apply to any non-stormwater discharge permitted under an NPDES permit, waiver or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered by the state of California under the authority of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, provided that the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver or order and other applicable laws and regulations, and provided that written approval has been granted by the city of Carpinteria for any discharge to the storm drain system.

3. With written concurrence of the regional board, the city may exempt in writing other non-stormwater discharges which are not a source of pollutants to the storm drain system or waters of the state.

(Ord. No. 667, § 2, 7-14-2014)

The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections to the storm drain system is prohibited. This prohibition expressly includes, without limitation, illicit connections made in the past, regardless of whether the connection was permissible under law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of connection.

(Ord. No. 667, § 2, 7-14-2014)

Any person subject to an industrial or construction activity NPDES stormwater discharge permit shall comply with all provisions of such permit. Proof of compliance with said permit may be required in a form acceptable to the director prior to or as a condition of a subdivision map, site plan, building permit, or development or improvement plan; upon inspection of the facility; during any enforcement proceeding or action; or for any other reasonable cause.

(Ord. No. 667, § 2, 7-14-2014)