Sec. 34-100. - Prohibited activities.

(a)

Illicit discharges and connections. It is prohibited to commence, establish, use, maintain, or continue any illicit connections to the city separate storm sewer system or any illicit discharges to the city separate storm sewer system. This prohibition against illicit connections applies to the use, maintenance, or continuation of any illicit connection, whether that connection was established prior to or after the effective date of the ordinance from which this article derives.

(b)

Littering. It is prohibited to throw, deposit, place, leave, maintain, keep, or permit to be thrown, deposited, placed, left, or maintained or kept any refuse, rubbish, garbage, or any other discarded or abandoned objects, articles or accumulations in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, storm drain, inlet, catchbasin conduit or drainage structure, business place, or upon any public or private plot of land in the city, so that such might be or become a pollutant. No person shall throw or deposit litter in any fountain, pond, lake, stream, or other body of water within the city. This subsection shall not apply to refuse, rubbish or garbage deposited in containers, bags or other appropriate receptacles which are placed in designated locations for regular solid waste pickup and disposal.

(c)

Disposal of landscape debris. It is prohibited to intentionally dispose of leaves, dirt, or other landscape debris into the city separate storm sewer system.

(d)

Nonstormwater discharges.

(1)

Except as specified by this chapter, discharging any material other than storm water to the storm drain system is prohibited.

(2)

The following non-stormwater discharges are exempt from the prohibition set forth in section 34-100(d)(1):

a.

Any discharge regulated under a NPDES permit issued to the discharger and administered by the State of California pursuant to Chapter 5.5, division 7 of the California Water Code under authority of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, provided that the discharger is in compliance with all requirements of the permit and other applicable laws and regulations.

b.

Discharges from the following activities will not be considered a source of pollutants to waters of the United States when properly managed:

Water line flushing and other discharges from potable water sources subject to a written agreement with the city;

2.

Landscape irrigation and lawn watering using potable water;

3.

Rising ground waters;

4.

Uncontaminated ground water infiltration as defined by the MS4 permit;

5.

Water from crawl space pumps;

6.

Air conditioning condensation;

7.

Natural springs;

8.

Non-commercial washing of vehicles by a non-profit organization, which has provided written notice to the city at least five business days prior to the event, or by a resident at his or her residence provided the nonprofit organization or resident, as applicable:

i.

Obtains a permit or written approval from the director;

ii.

Implements BMPs and ensure discharge avoids potential sources of pollutants in the flow path to prevent introduction of pollutants prior to discharge to the MS4 or receiving water;

iii.

Minimizes the amount of water used by employing water conservation practices such as turning off nozzles and using a low volume pressure washer;

iv.

When possible, use biodegradable, phosphate free detergents and non-toxic cleaning products;

v.

Where possible, wash cars on a permeable surface where wash water can percolate into the ground (e.g. gravel or grassy areas); and

vi.

Empty buckets of soapy or rinse water into the sanitary sewer system (e.g., sinks or toilets).

9.

Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;

10.

Dechlorinated/ debrominated swimming pool and dewatering of decorative fountain discharges, provided:

i.

The discharger implements BMPs and ensure discharge avoids potential sources of pollutants in the flow path to prevent introduction of pollutants prior to discharge to the MS4 and receiving water;

ii.

The discharge is dechlorinated or debrominated using holding time, aeration, and/or sodium thiosulfate. Chlorine residual in the discharge shall not exceed 0.1 mg/L;

iii.

The discharge does not contain any detergents, wastes, or algaecides, or any other chemicals including salts from pools commonly referred to as "salt water pools" in excess of applicable water quality objectives;

iv.

The discharge has a pH adjusted, if necessary, to be within the range of 6.5 and 8.5 standard units;

v.

The discharge is volumetrically and velocity controlled to promote evaporation and/or infiltration; and

vi.

For discharges of 100,000 gallons or more, require the authorization of the Director and verification that the discharge pathway to the MS4 inlet is cleared of debris and mobilization of pollutants.

11.

Flows from emergency firefighting activities;

Street/sidewalk wash water resulting from use of high pressure, low volume spray washing using only potable water with no cleaning agents at an average usage of 0.006 gallon per square feet of sidewalk area; and

13.

Waters not otherwise containing wastes as defined in California Water Code § 13050(d) and the California Health and Safety Code § 25117.

(e)

Discharges in violation of city NPDES permit. Any discharge that would result in or contribute to a violation of the city NPDES permit, either separately or in combination with other discharges, is prohibited. Liability for any such discharge shall be the responsibility of the person causing or responsible for the discharge, and such person shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City from all losses, liabilities, claims, or causes of actions in any administrative or judicial action relating to such discharge.

(Ord. No. 1642, § 1, 6-15-2015)