§ 47-211 — Prohibited discharge standards

§ 47-211. - Prohibited discharge standards.

(a) No user shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the POTW any pollutant or wastewater which causes pass-through or interference. These general prohibitions apply to all users of the POTW whether or not they are subject to categorical pretreatment standards or any other National, State or local pretreatment standards or requirements. Furthermore, no user may contribute the following substances to the POTW: (1) pollutants which create a fire or explosive hazard in the municipal wastewater collection and POTW, including, but not limited to, waste streams with a closed-cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees (60 degrees Celsius) using the test methods specified in 40 CFR 261.21, as amended. (2) any wastewater having a pH less than 5.0 or more than 10.5, or otherwise causing corrosive structural damage to the POTW or equipment, or endangering City personnel. (3) solid or viscous substances in amounts which will cause obstruction of the flow in the POTW resulting in interference, but in no case solids greater than ½ inch in any dimension. (4) any wastewater containing pollutants, including oxygen-demanding pollutants (BOD, etc.), released in a discharge at a flow rate and/or pollutant concentration which, either singly or by interaction with other pollutants, will cause interference with either the POTW, or any wastewater treatment or sludge process, or which will constitute a hazard to humans or animals. (5) any wastewater having a temperature greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), or which will inhibit biological activity in the treatment plant resulting in interference, but in no case wastewater which causes the temperature at the introduction into the treatment plant to exceed 104 degrees (40 degrees Celsius). (6) any discharge of nonpolar or saturated oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral oil origin which is greater than 100 mg/l or in amounts that will cause interference or pass-through. (7) any pollutants which result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors or fumes within the POTW in a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems. (8) any trucked or hauled pollutants, except at discharge points designated by the City in accordance with 40 CFR 403.5(b)(8). (9) any wastewater containing toxic pollutants in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other substances, to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment process or to create a toxic effect in the receiving waters of the municipal wastewater collection and/or treatment system. (10) any noxious or malodorous liquids, gases, solids or other wastewater which, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, are sufficient to create a public nuisance, a hazard to life, or to prevent entry into the sewers for maintenance and repair. (11) any wastewater which imparts color which cannot be removed by the treatment process such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions. (12) any wastewater containing any radioactive wastes or isotopes except as specifically approved by the Director, in compliance with applicable State or Federal regulations. (13) stormwater, surface water, groundwater, artesian well water, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, condensate, deionized water, noncontact cooling water, and unpolluted industrial wastewater, unless specifically authorized by the Director, or as defined in 47-1(W.1). (14) any sludges, screenings, or other residues from the pretreatment of industrial wastes. (15) any medical wastes, except as specifically authorized by the Director in a wastewater discharge permit. (16) any wastewater causing the treatment plant's effluent to fail a toxicity test. (17) any wastes containing detergents, surface-active agents, or other substances which may cause excessive foaming in the POTW. (18) any discharge of polar or nonsaturated fats, oils or greases which is greater than 200 mg/l, or in amounts that will cause interference or obstruction of the POTW. Signs with proper grease disposal messages are required near 3-compartment sinks. (19) any substance which causes a hazard to human life or creates a public nuisance. (20) any garbage from categorical or non-categorical users that has not been properly shredded. The installation and operation of any garbage grinder or garbage disposal equipped with a motor of three-fourths horsepower or greater shall be subject to review and approval of the Director. (b) At no time shall two readings on an explosion hazard meter at any point of discharge into the POTW, or at any point in the POTW, be more than five percent nor any single reading over ten percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) of the meter. (c) When the Director determines that a user is contributing to the municipal wastewater collection and treatment system any of the above enumerated substances in such amounts as to interfere with the operation of the municipal wastewater collection and treatment system, the Director shall: (1) advise the user of the impact of the contribution on the municipal wastewater collection and treatment system; and (2) inform said user that the user has two days to correct the interference with the municipal wastewater collection and treatment system. (d) Wastes prohibited by this article shall not be processed or stored in such a manner that the wastes could be discharged to the POTW. All floor drains located in process or materials storage areas must discharge to the user's pretreatment facility before connecting with the POTW or have spill control measures approved by the Director installed and operational.

(Code 1980, § 41-2.1; Ord. No. 19830, § 1, 9-29-92; Ord. No. 20916, § 5, 10-21-97; Ord. No. 22053, § 3, 10-8-02; Ord. No. 25828, § 1, 1-2-18, eff. 2-1-18; Ord. No. 27272, § 4, 1-31-23)