Athens City Code

This section shall apply to all water generated on developed or undeveloped land entering the City’s separate storm sewer system.

1. (1) Prohibition of illicit discharges. No person shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the municipal separate storm sewer system any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater. No person shall allow discharges that flow from a stormwater facility that is not inspected in accordance with section 14-506. Non-stormwater discharges shall include, but shall not be limited to, sanitary wastewater, car wash wastewater, radiator flushing disposal, spills from roadway accidents, carpet cleaning wastewater, effluent from septic tanks, improper oil disposal, laundry wastewater/gray water, improper disposal of auto and household toxics. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any non-stormwater discharge to the municipal separate storm sewer system is prohibited except as described as follows, unless the City determines they are significant contributors of pollutants to the MS4:
   1. (a) Water line flushing
   2. (b) Landscape irrigation
   3. (c) Diverted stream flows
   4. (d) Rising ground waters
   5. (e) Uncontaminated ground water infiltration (Infiltration is defined as water other than wastewater that enters a sewer system, including sewer service connections and foundation drains, from the ground through such means as defective pipes, pipe joints, connections, or manholes. Infiltration does not include, and is distinguished from, inflow.)
   6. (f) Uncontaminated pumped ground water
   7. (g) Discharges from potable water sources
   8. (h) Air conditioning condensation
   9. (i) Irrigation water
   10. (j) Springs
   11. (k) Water from crawl space pumps
   12. (l) Footing (foundation) drains
   13. (m) Lawn watering
   14. (n) Individual residential car washing
   15. (o) Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands
   16. (p) Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges
   17. (q) Street wash water with no soaps or solvents
   18. (r) Discharges or flows from firefighting activities
2. (2) Prohibition of illicit connections. The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections to the municipal separate storm sewer 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. This prohibition expressly includes SCM’s connected to the system not properly inspected and maintained in accordance with this ordinance.
   1. (a) Any person responsible for a property or premises, which is, or may be, the source of an illicit discharge, may be required to implement, at the person’s expense, the BMP’s necessary to prevent the further discharge of pollutants to the municipal separate storm sewer system. Compliance with all terms and conditions of a valid NPDES permit authorizing the discharge of stormwater associated with industrial activity, to the extent practicable, shall be deemed in compliance with the provisions of this section. Discharges from existing SCM’s that have not been maintained and/or inspected in accordance with this ordinance shall be prohibited.
3. (3) Notification of spills. Notwithstanding other requirements of law, as soon as any person responsible for a facility or operation, or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation has information of any known or suspected release of materials which are resulting in, or may result in, illicit discharges or pollutants discharging into, the municipal separate storm sewer system, the person shall take all necessary steps to ensure the discovery, containment, and cleanup of such release. In the event of such a release of hazardous materials the person shall immediately notify emergency response agencies of the occurrence via emergency dispatch services. In the event of a release of non-hazardous materials, the person shall notify the City in person or by telephone, fax, or email, no later than the next business day. Notifications in person or by telephone shall be confirmed by written notice addressed and mailed to the City within three (3) business days of the telephone notice. If the discharge of prohibited materials emanates from a commercial or industrial establishment, the owner or operator of such establishment shall also retain an on-site written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three (3) years.
4. (4) No illegal dumping allowed. No person shall dump or otherwise deposit outside an authorized landfill, convenience center or other authorized garbage or trash collection point, any trash or garbage of any kind or description on any private or public property, occupied or unoccupied, inside the City. Such illegal activity exposes runoff to contamination, generating an illicit discharge. Therefore, any individual or corporation guilty of illegal dumping may have committed a violation of this ordinance.