Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Prohibitions

Except as provided in Section 93102.01, no person shall discharge, facilitate, cause, permit, or allow to be discharged to the stormwater conveyance system, either directly or indirectly, any of the following:

A. Any non-stormwater, except in compliance with the requirements of this division;

B. Any stormwater that may cause or threaten to cause a condition of pollution or nuisance, as defined in California Water Code section 13050;

C. Any stormwater that may cause, threaten to cause, or contributes to an exceedance of any water quality standard in a Statewide Water Quality Control Plan, the California Toxics Rule, or the Basin Plan;

D. Stormwater containing hazardous substances;

E. Runoff in excess of incidental runoff as defined by the state of California Department of Water Resources Phase II Small MS4s General Permit (Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ); and

F. Any other stormwater identified by the enforcement agency to be a significant source of pollutants.

(Ord. No. 1508, § 1, 8-25-15)

The following non-stormwater and stormwater discharges to the stormwater conveyance system are exempt from the prohibition set forth in Section 931 02.00, unless the enforcement agency determines such discharge to be a significant source of pollutants, to pose a threat to water quality standards, discharge to an area of special biological significance, or otherwise meet the requirements of Section 93102.00:

A. Any discharge permitted under a NPDES permit, waiver, or formal policy, and administered by the state of California under the authority of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, provided that:

1. The discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or policy, and other applicable laws or regulations; and

2. Written approval, if required, has been granted by the county for any discharge to the stormwater conveyance system.

B. Agricultural stormwater runoff, pursuant to 40 CFR §§ 122.3(e) and 122.26, and State Board Order R7-2015-0008;

C. Water line flushing;

D. Individual residential car washing;

E. Diverted stream flows;

F. Rising ground waters;

G. Uncontaminated ground water infiltration (40 CFR § 35.2005(20)) to the stormwater conveyance system;

H. Uncontaminated pumped ground water;

I. Discharges from potable water sources;

J. Foundation drains;

K. Air conditioning condensation;

L. Springs;

M. Water from crawl space pumps;

N. Footing drains;

O. Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;

P. Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges; and

Q. Discharge or flow from fire-fighting activities.

(Ord. No. 1508, § 1, 8-25-15)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to commence, establish, use, permit, maintain, cause to establish, or continue any illicit connection to the county stormwater conveyance system or continue any illicit discharge to the stormwater conveyance system.

B. Discharges through the county stormwater conveyance system of material other than stormwater to waters of the United States shall be effectively prohibited, except as allowed under Section 93102.01 or as otherwise authorized by a separate NPDES permit, waiver, or formal policy.

C. Every responsible person for any premises from which there occurs any illicit discharge or any discharge to the stormwater conveyance system that is prohibited by this division shall immediately take action to eliminate the source of the discharge, prevent the illicit discharge or the occurrence of future illicit discharges.

(Ord. No. 1508, § 1, 8-25-15)

A. Every responsible person for any premises from which runoff in excess of incidental runoff originates shall take the following actions to control such excess runoff:

1. Detect leaks (for example, from broken sprinkler heads) and correct the leaks within seventy-two (72) hours of learning of the leak;

2. Properly design and aim sprinkler heads; and

3. Cease irrigation activities during rain events; except that any premises that are zoned as A-1. A-2, or A-3, and are actively engaged in agricultural production during the time of rain events, shall be exempt from this requirement.

B. Non-stormwater runoff discharge that is not incidental is prohibited unless otherwise specified in Section 93102.01.

(Ord. No. 1508, § 1, 8-25-15)

Any person owning or occupying a premises who has knowledge of any release of pollutants or illicit discharge from or across those premises which might enter the stormwater conveyance system or waters of the state or United States, other than a release or discharge that is permitted by this division, shall take action to contain and abate the release of pollutants or illicit discharge, and shall notify the enforcement agency within twenty-four (24) hours of the release of pollutants or illicit discharge.

(Ord. No. 1508, § 1, 8-25-15)