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Borough of South Plainfield, NJ
Middlesex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of South Plainfield as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 247.
Sewers — See Ch. 352.
Soil moving — See Ch. 383.
Solid waste — See Ch. 389.
Stormwater control — See Ch. 399.
[Adopted 2-20-2007 by Ord. No. 1767]
[Amended 2-1-2010 by Ord. No. 1873]
The purpose of this article is to prohibit the spilling, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) operated by the Borough of South Plainfield so as to protect health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) that is owned or operated by the Borough of South Plainfield or other public body, and is designed and used for collecting and conveying stormwater. MS4s do not include combined sewer systems, which are sewer systems that are designed to carry sanitary sewage at all times and to collect and transport stormwater from streets and other sources.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
STORMWATER
Water resulting from precipitation (including rain and snow) that runs off the land's surface, is transmitted to the subsurface, is captured by separate storm sewers or other sewerage or drainage facilities, or is conveyed by snow removal equipment.
The spilling, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater to the municipal separate storm sewer system operated by the Borough of South Plainfield is prohibited. The spilling, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater in such a manner as to cause the discharge of pollutants to the municipal separate storm sewer system is also prohibited.
[Added 11-22-2010 by Ord. No. 1906[1]]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to require the retrofitting of existing storm drain inlets which are in direct contact with repaving, repairing, reconstruction, or resurfacing or alterations of facilities on private property, to prevent the discharge of solids and floatables (such as plastic bottles, cans, food wrappers and other litter) to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Borough of South Plainfield so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for the failure to comply.
B. 
Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this section clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) that is owned or operated by the Borough of South Plainfield or other public body, and is designed and used for collecting and conveying stormwater.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
STORM DRAIN INLET
An opening in a storm drain used to collect stormwater runoff and includes, but is not limited to, a grate inlet, curb-opening inlet, slotted inlet, and combination inlet.
WATERS OF THE STATE
The ocean and its estuaries, all springs, streams and bodies of surface water or groundwater, whether natural or artificial, within the boundaries of the State of New Jersey or subject to its jurisdiction.
C. 
Prohibited conduct. No person in control of private property (except a residential lot with one single-family house) shall authorize the repaving, repairing (excluding the repair of individual potholes), resurfacing (including top coating or chip sealing with asphalt emulsion or a thin base of hot bitumen), reconstructing or altering any surface that is in direct contact with an existing storm drain inlet on that property unless the storm drain inlet either:
(1) 
Already meets the design standard below to control passage of solid and floatable materials; or
(2) 
Is retrofitted or replaced to meet the standard in Subsection D below prior to the completion of the project.
D. 
Design standard. Storm drain inlets identified in Subsection B above shall comply with the following standard to control passage of solid and floatable materials through storm drain inlets. For purposes of this subsection, "solid and floatable materials" means sediment, debris, trash, and other floating, suspended, or settleable solids. For exemptions to this standard see Subsection D(1)(a) below.
(1) 
Grates.
(a) 
Design engineers shall use either of the following grates whenever they use a grate in pavement or another ground surface to collect stormwater from that surface into a storm drain or surface water body under that grate:
[1] 
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) bicycle-safe grate, which is described in Chapter 2.4 of the NJDOT Bicycle Compatible Roadways and Bikeways Planning and Design Guidelines (April 1996); or
[2] 
A different grate, if each individual clear space in that grate has an area of no more than seven square inches, or is no greater than 0.5 inches across the smallest dimension.
(b) 
Examples of grates subject to this standard include grates in grate inlets, the grate portion (non-curb-opening portion) of combination inlets, grates on storm sewer manholes, ditch grates, trench grates, and grates of spacer bars in slotted drains. Examples of ground surfaces include surfaces of roads (including bridges), driveways, parking areas, bikeways, plazas, sidewalks, lawns, fields, open channels, and stormwater basin floors.
(2) 
Whenever design engineers use a curb-opening inlet, the clear space in that curb opening (or each individual clear space, if the curb opening has two or more clear spaces) shall have an area of no more than seven square inches, or be no greater than two inches across the smallest dimension.
(3) 
This standard does not apply:
(a) 
Where the Municipal Engineer agrees that this standard would cause inadequate hydraulic performance that could not practicably be overcome by using additional or larger storm drain inlets that meet these standards;
(b) 
Where flows are conveyed through any device (e.g., end-of-pipe netting facility, manufactured treatment device, or a catch basin hood) that is designed, at a minimum, to prevent delivery of all solid and floatable materials that could not pass through one of the following:
[1] 
A rectangular space 4 5/8 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide (this option does not apply for outfall netting facilities); or
[2] 
A bar screen having a bar spacing of 0.5 inches.
(c) 
Where flows are conveyed through a trash rack that has parallel bars with one inch spacing between the bars; or
(d) 
Where the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection determines, pursuant to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places rules at N.J.A.C. 7:4-7.2(c), that action to meet this standard is an undertaking that constitutes an encroachment or will damage or destroy the New Jersey Register-listed historic property.
E. 
Enforcement. This section shall be enforced by the Borough Police Department and/or the Construction Official of the Borough of South Plainfield.
F. 
Penalties. Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each storm drain inlet that is not retrofitted to meet the design standard.
G. 
Severability. Each section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase of this section is declared to be an independent section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase, and the finding or holding of any such portion of this section to be unconstitutional, void, or ineffective for any cause, or reason, shall not affect any other portion of this section.
H. 
When effective. This section shall take effect upon final passage and publication in accordance with New Jersey law.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former §§ 403-4 through 403-6 as §§ 403-6 through 403-8, respectively. Additionally, §§ 403-7 through 403-11 were renumbered as §§ 403-9 through 403-13, respectively.
[Added 11-22-2010 by Ord. No. 1907]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to require dumpsters and other refuse containers that are outdoors or exposed to stormwater to be covered at all times and to prohibit the spilling, dumping, leaking, or other discharge of liquids, semi-liquids or solids from the containers to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Borough of South Plainfield and/or the waters of the state so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for the failure to comply.
B. 
Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this section clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) that is owned or operated by the Borough of South Plainfield or other public body, and is designed and used for collecting and conveying stormwater.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
REFUSE CONTAINER
Any waste container that a person controls whether owned, leased, or operated, including dumpsters, trash cans, garbage pails, and plastic trash bags.
STORMWATER
Water resulting from precipitation (including rain and snow) that runs off the land's surface, is transmitted to the subsurface, is captured by separate storm sewers or other sewerage or drainage facilities, or is conveyed by snow-removal equipment.
WATERS OF THE STATE
The ocean and its estuaries, all springs, streams and bodies of surface water or groundwater, whether natural or artificial, within the boundaries of the State of New Jersey or subject to its jurisdiction.
C. 
Covering of containers and dumpsters; prevention of leaks and discharges.
(1) 
Any person who controls, whether owned, leased, or operated, a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that such container or dumpster is covered at all times and shall prevent refuse from spilling out or overflowing.
(2) 
Any person who owns, leases or otherwise uses a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that such container or dumpster does not leak or otherwise discharge liquids, semi-liquids or solids to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Borough of South Plainfield.
D. 
Exceptions are as follows:
(1) 
Permitted temporary demolition containers.
(2) 
Litter receptacles (other than dumpsters or other bulk containers).
(3) 
Individual homeowner trash and recycling containers.
(4) 
Refuse containers at facilities authorized to discharge stormwater under a valid NJPDES permit.
(5) 
Large bulky items (e.g., furniture, bound carpet and padding, white goods) placed curbside for pickup.
E. 
Enforcement. This section shall be enforced by the Police Department and/or the Construction Official of the Borough of South Plainfield.
F. 
Penalties. Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.
G. 
Severability. Each section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase of this section is declared to be an independent section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase, and the finding or holding of any such portion of this section to be unconstitutional, void, or ineffective for any cause, or reason, shall not affect any other portion of this section.
H. 
When effective. This section shall take effect upon final passage and publication in accordance with New Jersey law.
[Amended 2-1-2010 by Ord. No. 1873]
Exceptions to the prohibitions are as follows:
A. 
Water line flushing and discharges from potable water sources.
B. 
Uncontaminated groundwater (e.g., infiltration, crawl space or basement sump pumps, foundation or footing drains, rising groundwaters).
C. 
Air-conditioning condensate (excluding contact and noncontact cooling water).
D. 
Irrigation water (including landscape and lawn watering runoff).
E. 
Flows from springs, riparian habitats and wetlands, water reservoir discharges and diverted stream flows.
F. 
Residential car washing water, and residential swimming pool discharges.
G. 
Sidewalk, driveway and street wash water.
H. 
Flows from fire-fighting activities.
I. 
Flows from rinsing of the following equipment with clean water:
(1) 
Beach maintenance equipment immediately following their use for their intended purposes; and
(2) 
Equipment used in the application of salt and deicing materials immediately following salt and deicing material applications. Prior to rinsing with clean water, all residual salt and deicing materials must be removed from equipment and vehicles to the maximum extent practicable using dry cleaning methods (e.g., shoveling and sweeping). Recovered materials are to be returned to storage for reuse or property discarded.
(3) 
Rising of equipment, as noted in the above situation, is limited to exterior, undercarriage, and exposed parts and does not apply to engines or other enclosed machinery.
[Amended 2-1-2010 by Ord. No. 1873]
This article shall be enforced by the Police Department, the local Health Officer, and Code Enforcement of the Borough of South Plainfield.
Any person(s) who continues to be in violation of the provisions of this article, after being duly notified, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $2,000.
[Adopted 2-20-2007 by Ord. No. 1769]
[Amended 2-1-2010 by Ord. No. 1873]
The purpose of this article is to prohibit illicit connections to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Borough of South Plainfield so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for the failure to comply.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory. The definitions below are the same as or based on corresponding definitions in the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) rules at N.J.A.C. 7:14A-1.2.
DOMESTIC SEWAGE
Waste and wastewater from humans or household operations.
ILLICIT CONNECTION
Any physical or nonphysical connection that discharges domestic sewage, noncontact cooling water, process wastewater, or other industrial waste (other than stormwater) to the municipal separate storm sewer system operated by the Borough of South Plainfield, unless that discharge is authorized under a NJPDES permit other than the Tier A Municipal Stormwater General Permit (NJPDES Permit Number NJ0141852). Nonphysical connections may include, but are not limited to, leaks, flows, or overflows into the municipal separate storm sewer system.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Nondomestic waste, including, but not limited to, those pollutants regulated under Section 307(a), (b), or (c) of the Federal Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1317(a), (b), or (c)].
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) that is owned or operated by the Borough of South Plainfield or public body, and is designed and used for collecting and conveying stormwater. MS4s do not include combined sewer systems, which are sewer systems that are designed to carry sanitary sewage at all times and to collect and transport stormwater from streets and other sources.
NJPDES PERMIT
A permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to implement the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) rules at N.J.A.C. 7:14A.
NONCONTACT COOLING WATER
Water used to reduce temperature for the purpose of cooling. Such waters do not come into direct contact with any raw material, intermediate product (other than heat) or finished product. Noncontact cooling water may however contain algaecides, or biocides to control fouling of equipment such as heat exchangers, and/or corrosion inhibitors.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
PROCESS WASTEWATER
Any water which, during manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, byproduct, or waste product. Process wastewater includes, but is not limited to, leachate and cooling water other than noncontact cooling water.
STORMWATER
Water resulting from precipitation (including rain and snow) that runs off the land's surface, is transmitted to the subsurface, is captured by separate storm sewers or other sewerage or drainage facilities, or is conveyed by snow removal equipment.
No person shall discharge or cause be discharged through an illicit connection to the municipal separate storm system operated by the Borough of South Plainfield any domestic sewage, noncontact cooling water, process wastewater, or other industrial waste (other than stormwater).
[Amended 2-1-2010 by Ord. No. 1873]
This article shall be enforced by the Police Department, local Health Officer, and Code Enforcement of the Borough of South Plainfield.
Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $2,000.