Sierra Madre Municipal Code Ch. 7.06 Illicit Connections and Illicit Discharges

A. Prohibition of Illicit Connections. No illicit connection to the municipal separate storm sewer system may be established or maintained and any illicit connection is a violation of this title. This prohibition is retrospective and applies even if the connection was permitted under the law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of the connection.

B. Removal of Existing Illicit Connections. All illicit connections must be removed or otherwise sealed in a manner approved by the director of public works.

(Ord. 1137 § 1 (part), 1997)

A. Illicit Discharges Prohibited. It is a violation of this title for a person to cause any illicit discharge to enter the municipal storm sewer system unless that discharge is:

1. A non-stormwater discharge authorized by and consistent with the provisions of a valid NPDES permit,

2. An exempted discharge; or

3. Is deemed by the director of public works or authorized representative to be necessary to the public health, safety or welfare.

B. Exempted Discharges. Non-stormwater discharges from the following activities, when properly managed as determined by the director of public works or his or her designee, are exempted from the provisions of this title: flows from riparian habitats or wetlands, diverted stream flows, springs, rising ground waters, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration, discharges or flows from emergency fire fighting activities, landscape irrigation, water line flushing, potable water sources provided the discharges are managed in accordance with an approved industry-wide Standard Pollution Prevention Practices developed by the American Water Works Association, California-Nevada Section, or equivalent document; and in compliance with any requirements established by the city, foundation drains, footing drains, air conditioning condensate, irrigation water, lawn watering, water from crawl space pumps, dechlorinated/debrominated swimming pool discharges, non-commercial car washing by residents or by non-profit organizations, street washing (including sidewalk washing). Specific non-stormwater discharges may be added to the list of exempted discharges when, in the opinion of the director of public works, such discharges would not pose an actual or potential threat to water quality.

C. Cleanup of Illicit Discharges Required. If a person responsible for an illicit discharge is identified, it is the responsibility of that person to clean up the illicit discharge to the satisfaction of the city engineer and in a timely manner. If a responsible party cannot be identified, the illicit discharge must be cleaned up by the city.

(Ord. 1200 § 2, 2003; Ord. 1137 § 1 (part), 1997)

A. Immediate Notification Required. In the event of an uncontrolled discharge of a pollutant or pollutants, or mixture containing a pollutant or pollutants, the discharger shall immediately notify the city of the incident by telephone. The notification shall include the location of the discharge, the type, concentration and volume of material being discharged, and any corrective actions taken.

B. Written Notification Required. Within ten days after the uncontrolled discharge, the discharger shall submit to the city a detailed written report describing the cause of the discharge, corrective action taken and measures to be taken to prevent future occurrences. Such notification shall not relieve the discharger of liability or fines incurred as a result of the uncontrolled discharge.

(Ord. 1137 § 1 (part), 1997)

It is a violation of this title for any person to throw, deposit, discard, place, leave, maintain, keep or permit to be thrown, deposited, discarded, placed, left, maintained or kept any refuse, rubbish, garbage, trash or other waste material in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, storm drain, inlet, catch basin, drainage structure, business place, or upon any public or private plot of land in the city, except in containers, recycling bags, or other lawfully established waste disposal facilities.

(Ord. 1137 § 1 (part), 1997)

It is a violation of this title for any person to discharge to the municipal separate storm sewer system any pesticide, herbicide or fungicide banned by the Environmental Protection Agency or the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

(Ord. 1137 § 1 (part), 1997)