[Ord. No. 30916, 6-23-2008]
A. 
The purpose of this article is to: implement the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for stormwater discharges from small municipal separate storm sewer systems issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; protect the public health, safety and welfare of Waltham residents; protect the natural resources, water bodies, groundwater resources, environment and municipal facilities of the City; satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act; eliminate or reduce the adverse effects of soil erosion and sedimentation as a result of land-disturbing activities; manage stormwater runoff to minimize adverse impacts to the City, its residents and the environment; and establish the legal authority to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article through inspection, monitoring and enforcement.
B. 
Chapter 25, Article I, establishes stormwater management standards for the final conditions that result from development and redevelopment projects to minimize adverse impacts off site and downstream which would be borne by abutters, residents, and the general public. In addition, this article establishes stormwater management standards for land disturbances that have harmful impacts of soil erosion and sedimentation.
C. 
The objectives of Chapter 25, Article I, are:
(1) 
To require practices to control the flow of stormwater from new and redeveloped sites into the municipal storm drainage system in order to prevent flooding and erosion.
(2) 
To protect groundwater and surface water from degradation.
(3) 
To promote groundwater recharge and infiltration.
(4) 
To prevent pollutants from entering the City's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) and to minimize discharge of pollutants from the MS4.
(5) 
To ensure adequate long-term operation and maintenance of structural stormwater best management practices (BMPs) so that they work as designed.
(6) 
To require practices that eliminate soil erosion and sedimentation and control the volume and rate of stormwater runoff resulting from land disturbances.
(7) 
To ensure that soil erosion and sediment control measures and stormwater runoff control practices are incorporated into the site planning and design process and are implemented and maintained.
(8) 
To require practices to control waste such as discarded building materials, concrete truck washout, chemicals, litter, and sanitary waste at the construction site that may cause adverse impacts to water quality.
(9) 
To comply with state and federal statutes and regulations relating to stormwater discharges.
(10) 
To establish the City's legal authority to ensure compliance with the provisions of Chapter 25, Article I, through inspection, monitoring, and enforcement.
D. 
This article is adopted under authority granted by the Home Rule Amendments of the Massachusetts Constitution, the Massachusetts Home Rule statutes, and the regulations of the Federal Clean Water Act found at 40 CFR 122.34. The provisions of this article shall apply to all property owners in the City and to nonproperty owners where applicable.
E. 
To the extent this article conflicts with the requirements of the NPDES general permit, the terms and conditions of the permit shall apply.
[Ord. No. 30916, 6-23-2008]
Unless otherwise defined in this section, the terms in this article correspond to definitions found in the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) and the general permit for stormwater discharges from small municipal separate storm sewer systems issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The following definitions apply to Chapter 25 Article I:
ABUTTER
The owner(s) of land abutting the activity.
ALTERATION OF DRAINAGE CHARACTERISTICS
Any activity on an area of land that changes the water quality, force, direction, timing, or location of runoff flowing from the area. Such changes include change from distributed runoff to confined, discrete discharge; change in the volume of runoff from the area; change in the peak rate of runoff from the area; and change in the recharge to groundwater on the area.
APPLICANT
Any person, individual, partnership, association, firm, company, corporation, trust, authority, agency, department, or political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the federal government to the extent permitted by law requesting a stormwater management permit for proposed land disturbances.
APPLICANT'S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE
A registered professional engineer (PE) hired by the applicant to certify that design and construction are completed in accordance with the applicable local, state, and federal stormwater requirements.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP)
An activity, procedure, restraint, or structural improvement that helps to reduce the quantity or improve the quality of stormwater runoff.
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL (CPESC)
A certified specialist in soil erosion and sediment control. This certification program, sponsored by the Soil and Water Conservation Society in cooperation with the American Society of Agronomy, provides the public with evidence of professional qualifications.
CLEARING
Any activity that removes the vegetative surface cover.
CLEAN WATER ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) as hereafter amended.
DEVELOPMENT
The modification of land to accommodate a new use or expansion of use, usually involving construction.
DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS
The addition from any source of any pollutant or combination of pollutants into the municipal storm drainage system or into the waters of the United States or Commonwealth of Massachusetts from any source.
EROSION
The wearing away of the land surface by natural or artificial forces such as wind, water, ice, gravity, or vehicle traffic and the subsequent detachment and transportation of soil particles.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
A document containing narrative, drawings, and details developed by a registered professional engineer (PE) or a certified professional in erosion and sediment control (CPESC), which includes BMPs or equivalent measures designed to control surface runoff, erosion and sedimentation during pre-construction and construction-related land disturbances. The plan is required as part of the application for a stormwater management permit.
GRADING
Changing the level or shape of the ground surface.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any material or structure on or above the ground that prevents water infiltrating the underlying soil. "Impervious surface" includes, without limitation, roads, paved parking lots, sidewalks, and rooftops.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any action that causes a change in the position, location, or arrangement of soil, sand, rock, gravel, or similar earth material.
MASSACHUSETTS STORMWATER MANAGEMENT POLICY
The policy issued by the Department of Environmental Protection, and as amended, that coordinates the requirements prescribed by state regulations promulgated under the authority of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL c. 131, § 40, and the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, MGL c. 21, §§ 23 through 56. The policy addresses stormwater impacts through implementation of performance standards to reduce or prevent pollutants from reaching water bodies and control the quantity of runoff from a site.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) OR MUNICIPAL STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
The system of conveyances designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater, including any road with a drainage system, street, gutter, curb, inlet, piped storm drain, pumping facility, retention or detention basin, natural or man-made or altered drainage channel, reservoir, and other drainage structure that together comprise the storm drainage system owned or operated by the City.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN
A plan setting up the functional, financial, and organizational mechanisms for the ongoing operation and maintenance of a stormwater management system to insure that it continues to function as designed.
OWNER
A person with a legal or equitable interest in property.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, association, firm, company, trust, corporation, agency, authority, department or political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the federal government, to the extent permitted by law, and any officer, employee, or agent of such person.
POINT SOURCE
Any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, or container from which pollutants are or may be discharged.
POLLUTANT
Any element or property of sewage, agricultural, industrial or commercial waste, runoff, leachate, heated effluent, or other matter, whether originating at a point or nonpoint source, that is or may be introduced into any sewage treatment works or waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pollutants shall include, without limitation:
A. 
Paints, varnishes, and solvents;
B. 
Oil and other automotive fluids;
C. 
Nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes;
D. 
Refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, ordinances, accumulations and floatables;
E. 
Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers;
F. 
Hazardous materials and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens;
G. 
Dissolved and particulate metals;
H. 
Animal wastes;
I. 
Rock, sand, salt, soils;
J. 
Construction wastes and residues; and
K. 
Noxious or offensive matter of any kind.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
All activity in preparation for construction.
RECHARGE
The process by which groundwater is replenished by precipitation through the percolation of runoff and surface water through the soil.
REDEVELOPMENT
Development, rehabilitation, expansion, demolition, or phased projects that disturb the ground surface or increase the impervious area on previously developed sites.
RUNOFF
Rainfall, snowmelt, or irrigation water flowing over the ground surface.
SEDIMENT
Mineral or organic soil material that is transported by wind or water, from its origin to another location; the product of erosion processes.
SEDIMENTATION
The process or act of deposition of sediment.
SITE
Any lot or parcel of land or area of property where land disturbances are, were, or will be performed.
SOIL
Any earth, sand, rock, gravel, or similar material.
STORMWATER
Stormwater runoff, snowmelt runoff, and surface water runoff and drainage.
STORMWATER ENFORCEMENT AGENT
The Mayor shall designate the Stormwater Enforcement Agent(s) to enforce this article and notify the City Council of the designated agent(s). The Stormwater Enforcement Agent shall enforce construction and post-construction runoff controls as specified in this article and in the Stormwater Management Rules and Regulations.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
A plan required as part of the application for a stormwater management permit.
STREAM
A body of running water, including brooks, creeks, and other water courses, which moves in a definite channel in the ground due to a hydraulic gradient. A portion of a stream may flow through a culvert, is naturally obscured, or beneath a bridge. A stream's flow may be intermittent (i.e., does not flow throughout the year) or perennial.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
All waters within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including, without limitation, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, springs, impoundments, estuaries, wetlands, costal waters, and groundwater.
WETLANDS
Coastal and freshwater wetlands, including wet meadows, marshes, swamps, and bogs, as defined and determined pursuant to MGL c. 131, § 40 and 310 CMR 10.00 et seq.
[Ord. No. 30916, 6-23-2008]
A. 
No person may undertake a construction activity, including clearing, grading, and excavation, that results in a land disturbance that will disturb equal to or greater than one acre of land or will disturb less than one acre of land but is part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will ultimately disturb equal to or greater than one acre of land draining to the City's MS4 without a stormwater management permit from the Stormwater Enforcement Agent. After the initial common plan construction activity is completed for a particular parcel, any subsequent development or redevelopment of that parcel would be regarded as a new plan of development. For example, after a house is built and occupied, any future construction on that lot (e.g., reconstructing after fire, adding a pool or parking area, etc.), would stand alone as a new common plan for purposes of calculating acreage disturbed to determine if a Stormwater Management Permit is required. Construction activity does not include routine maintenance that is performed to maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or the original purpose of the site.
B. 
Exemptions.
(1) 
Construction activities waived from permit coverage under the NPDES general permit for stormwater discharges from construction activities.
(2) 
Normal maintenance and improvement of land in agricultural use as defined by the Wetlands Protection Act regulation 310 CMR 10.04;
(3) 
Maintenance of existing landscaping, gardens or lawn areas associated with a single-family dwelling;
(4) 
The construction of fencing that will not substantially alter existing terrain or drainage patterns;
(5) 
Construction of utilities other than drainage (gas, water, electric, telephone, etc.) which will not alter terrain or drainage patterns;
(6) 
Projects permitted and approved by the City of Waltham prior to the effective date of this article; and
(7) 
Emergency work to protect life, limb, or property.
[Ord. No. 30916, 6-23-2008]
A. 
The Stormwater Enforcement Agent shall administer, implement, and enforce Chapter 25, Article I. Any powers granted to or duties imposed upon the Stormwater Enforcement Agent may be delegated in writing by the Stormwater Enforcement Agent to its employees and agents.
B. 
Rules and regulations. The Stormwater Enforcement Agent shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purpose of this article after publishing a public notice in a newspaper of general circulation and holding a public hearing. The City Council will review and approve the final rules and regulations before they become effective. Failure to promulgate such rules and regulations or a determination of their invalidity by final order of a court of competent jurisdiction shall not have the effect of suspending or invalidating this article. Any powers granted to or duties imposed upon the Stormwater Enforcement Agent or the City Council to promulgate rules and regulations shall not have the effect of suspending or invalidating this article.
[Ord. No. 30916, 6-23-2008]
A. 
The Stormwater Enforcement Agent may waive strict compliance with any requirement of this article or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder subject to approval of the City Council, where:
(1) 
Such action is allowed by federal, state and local statutes and/or regulations;
(2) 
Is in the public interest; and
(3) 
Is not inconsistent with the purpose and intent of this article.
B. 
Any applicant may submit a written request to be granted such a waiver. Such a request shall be accompanied by an explanation or documentation supporting the waiver request and demonstrating that strict application of the article does not further the purposes or objectives of the article.
[Ord. No. 30916, 6-23-2008]
The Stormwater Enforcement Agent shall require from the developer a surety or cash bond, or other means of security acceptable to the City Treasurer, prior to the issuance of any building permit for the construction of a development requiring a stormwater management facility. The amount of the security shall not be less than the total estimated construction cost of the stormwater management facility. The bond so required in this section shall include provisions relative to forfeiture for failure to complete work specified in the approved stormwater management plan, compliance with all of the provisions of this article and other applicable laws and regulations, and any time limitations. The bond shall not be fully released without a final inspection of the completed work by the Stormwater Enforcement Agent, submission of "as-built" plans, and certification of completion by the Stormwater Enforcement Agent of the stormwater management facilities being in compliance with the approved plan and the provisions of this article.
[Ord. No. 30916, 6-23-2008]
A. 
The Stormwater Enforcement Agent shall enforce this article and any regulation, decision, permit or order issued under this article and may pursue all civil and criminal remedies for violations of their provisions.
B. 
If, in the estimation of the Stormwater Enforcement Agent, corrective work is required to protect the environment, and the property owner fails to perform said corrective work within a reasonable period of time as set by the Stormwater Enforcement Agent, he/she may order the same to be performed by a party to be determined by it, and the property owner shall be required to reimburse the City for all costs incurred. These costs will be in addition to the fines described above.
C. 
Penalties. In addition to the other means of enforcement otherwise available for violations of this article, including, but not limited to, where applicable, the provisions of Section 1-13(a) of the General Ordinances, violations may be penalized, as provided by MGL c. 40, § 21D, pursuant to the noncriminal disposition provisions of Section 1-13(b) of the General Ordinances. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. If the property owner violates more than one provision of this article or any condition of an approval issued hereunder, each provision or condition so violated shall constitute a separate offense. Fines issued and costs assessed or upheld by the City Council shall constitute a municipal lien upon the property and shall accrue interest as provided by applicable law. Upon request of the Stormwater Enforcement Agent, the Law Department shall take any and all legal action as may be necessary to enforce this article and permits issued pursuant to it. To the extent permitted by state law, or if authorized by the owner or other party in control of the property, the Stormwater Enforcement Agent, its agents, officers, and employees may enter upon privately owned property for the purpose of performing its duties and may make or cause to be made such examinations, surveys or sampling as the Stormwater Enforcement Agent deems reasonably necessary to enforce the provisions of this article.
D. 
Decisions or orders of the Stormwater Enforcement Agent pursuant to this article may be appealed to the City Council subject to the terms and conditions of the NPDES general permit. Appellants must show good cause why the decision of the Stormwater Enforcement Agent shall be overturned. The decision of the City Council shall be final, except further relief may be made to a court of competent jurisdiction.
[Ord. No. 30916, 6-23-2008]
The provisions of this article are hereby declared to be severable. If any provision, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this article or the application thereof to any property owner, establishment, or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application of said article to the extent permitted by law.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
A. 
Increased and contaminated stormwater runoff is a major cause of impairment of water quality and flow into waterways; contamination of drinking water supplies; alteration or destruction of aquatic and wildlife habitat; and flooding.
B. 
Regulation of illicit connections and discharges to the municipal storm drainage system is necessary for the protection of the City's water bodies and groundwater and to safeguard the public health, safety, welfare and the environment.
C. 
The objectives of this article are:
(1) 
To prevent pollutants from entering the City's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4);
(2) 
To prohibit illicit connections and unauthorized discharges to the MS4;
(3) 
To require the removal of all such illicit connections;
(4) 
To comply with state and federal statutes and regulations relating to stormwater discharges; and
(5) 
To establish the legal authority to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article through inspection, monitoring, and enforcement.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations.
CLEAN WATER ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) as hereafter amended.
CMR
Code of Massachusetts Regulations.
DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS
The addition from any source of any pollutant or combination of pollutants into the municipal storm drainage system or into the waters of the United States or Commonwealth of Massachusetts from any source.
GROUNDWATER
Water beneath the surface of the ground.
ILLICIT CONNECTION
A surface or subsurface drain or conveyance which allows an illicit discharge into the municipal storm drainage system, including, without limitation, sewage, process wastewater, or wash water and any connections from indoor drains, sinks, or toilets, regardless of whether said connection was previously allowed, permitted, or approved before the effective date of this article.
ILLICIT DISCHARGE
Direct or indirect discharge to the municipal storm drainage system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except as exempted in § 25-23 of this article.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any material or structure on or above the ground that prevents water infiltrating the underlying soil. "Impervious surface" includes, without limitation, roads, paved parking lots, sidewalks and rooftops.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) or MUNICIPAL STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
The system of conveyances designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater, including any road with a drainage system, street, gutter, curb, inlet, piped storm drain, pumping facility, retention or detention basin, natural or man-made or altered drainage channel, reservoir, and other drainage structure that together comprise the storm drainage system owned or operated by the City.
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) STORMWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT
A permit issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or jointly with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States.
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGE
Discharge to the municipal storm drainage system not composed entirely of stormwater.
OWNER
A person with a legal or equitable interest in property.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, association, firm, company, trust, corporation, agency, authority, department or political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the federal government, to the extent permitted by law, and any officer, employee, or agent of such person.
POLLUTANT
Any element or property of sewage, agricultural, industrial or commercial waste, runoff, leachate, heated effluent, or other matter, whether originating at a point or nonpoint source, that is or may be introduced into any sewage treatment works or waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pollutants shall include, without limitation:
A. 
Paints, varnishes, and solvents;
B. 
Oil and other automotive fluids;
C. 
Nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes;
D. 
Refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, ordinances, accumulations and floatables;
E. 
Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers;
F. 
Hazardous materials and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens;
G. 
Dissolved and particulate metals;
H. 
Animal wastes;
I. 
Rock, sand, salt, soils;
J. 
Construction wastes and residues; and
K. 
Noxious or offensive matter of any kind.
PROCESS WASTEWATER
Water which, during manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any material, intermediate product, finished product, or waste product.
STORMWATER
Stormwater runoff, snowmelt runoff and surface water runoff and drainage.
STORMWATER ENFORCEMENT AGENT
The Mayor shall designate the Stormwater Enforcement Agent(s) to enforce this article and notify the City Council of the designated agent(s).
SURFACE WATER DISCHARGE PERMIT
A permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) pursuant to 314 CMR 3.00 that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL OR WASTE
Any material which, because of its quantity, concentration, chemical, corrosive, flammable, reactive, toxic, infectious or radioactive characteristics, either separately or in combination with any substance or substances, constitutes a present or potential threat to human health, safety, or welfare or to the environment. Toxic or hazardous materials include any synthetic organic chemical, petroleum product, heavy metal, radioactive or infectious waste, acid and alkali, and any substance defined as "toxic" or "hazardous" under MGL c. 21C and c. 21E and the regulations at 310 CMR 30.00 and 310 CMR 40.00 et seq.
WASTEWATER
Any sanitary waste, sludge, or septic tank or cesspool overflow, and water that, during manufacturing, cleaning 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.
WATERCOURSE
A natural or man-made channel through which water flows or a stream of water, including a river, brook or underground stream.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
All waters within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including, without limitation, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, springs, impoundments, estuaries, wetlands, costal waters, and groundwater.
WETLANDS
Coastal and freshwater wetlands, including wet meadows, marshes, swamps, and bogs, as defined and determined pursuant to MGL c. 131, § 40, and 310 CMR 10.00 et seq.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
This article shall apply to flows entering the municipal storm drainage system. The provisions of this article shall take precedence over any conflicting provisions of the General Ordinances.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
This article is adopted under the authority granted by the Home Rule Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution and the Home Rule Procedures Act and pursuant to MGL c. 83, §§ 1, 10, and 16, as amended by St. 2004, c. 149, §§ 135 to 140, and the regulations of the federal Clean Water Act found at 40 CFR 122.34.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
The Stormwater Enforcement Agent shall administer, implement and enforce this article and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder. Any powers granted to or duties imposed upon the Stormwater Enforcement Agent may be delegated in writing by the Stormwater Enforcement Agent to employees or agents of the Stormwater Enforcement Agent.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
After public hearing and public notice, the Stormwater Enforcement Agent may promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this article. Failure by the Stormwater Enforcement Agent to promulgate such rules and regulations shall not have the effect of suspending or invalidating this article.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
A person is considered to be in violation of this article if he connects a line conveying sewage and/or wastewater to the municipal storm drain system or, once detected, allows such a connection to continue.
A. 
Illicit discharges. No person shall dump, discharge, cause or allow to be discharged any pollutant or nonstormwater discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), into a watercourse, or into the waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
B. 
Illicit connections. No person shall construct, use, allow, maintain or continue any illicit connection to the municipal storm drainage system, regardless of whether the connection was permissible under applicable law, regulation or custom at the time of connection.
C. 
Obstruction of municipal storm drainage system. No person shall obstruct or interfere with the normal flow of stormwater into or out of the municipal storm drainage system without prior written approval from the Stormwater Enforcement Agent.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
The following nonstormwater discharges or flows are exempt from the prohibition of nonstormwaters, provided that the source is not a significant contributor of a pollutant to the municipal storm drainage system:
A. 
Municipal water line flushing;
B. 
Uncontaminated groundwater or uncontaminated pumped groundwater;
C. 
Water from exterior foundation drains, footing drains, crawl space pumps or airconditioning condensation;
D. 
Water from sump pumps and other pumps that remove floodwaters from basements, except that this provision excludes water contaminated by sewage;
E. 
Water discharge from irrigation or watering of lawns, trees, landscaping and gardens;
F. 
Water from property management activities, including washing walkways, patios, house siding, windows or similar property management activities, provided that no detergents are used in conducting such activities;
G. 
Discharge from dechlorinated swimming pool water (less than one ppm of chlorine or bromine), provided that the pool is not drained in a manner designed to flood or otherwise adversely affect neighboring or downstream properties;
H. 
Discharge from washing vehicles garaged at a single-family or two-family dwelling;
I. 
Consolidated public works ice, snow and street sweeping management operations;
J. 
Flow resulting from fire-fighting activities;
K. 
Dye testing, provided that written notification is given to the Engineering Department two business days prior to the time of the test;
L. 
Maintenance or replacement of existing landscaping, gardens or lawn areas;
M. 
Construction of fencing that will not substantially alter existing terrain or drainage patterns;
N. 
Construction of utilities other than drainage (gas, water, electric, telephone, etc.) which will not alter terrain or drainage patterns;
O. 
Projects that commenced prior to the effective date of this article, provided that they are completed within one year from such effective date;
P. 
Natural flow from riparian habitats and wetlands;
Q. 
Springs;
R. 
Diverted stream flow;
S. 
Rising groundwater;
T. 
Nonstormwater discharge permitted under an NPDES permit or a surface water discharge permit, waiver, or waste discharge order administered under the authority of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Environmental Protection, provided that the discharge is in full compliance with the requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and applicable laws and regulations; and
U. 
Discharge for which advanced written approval is received from the Stormwater Enforcement Agent as necessary to protect public health, safety, welfare or the environment.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
A. 
The Stormwater Enforcement Agent may suspend municipal storm drainage system access to any person or property without prior written notice when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge of pollutants that presents imminent risk of harm to the public health, safety, welfare or the environment.
B. 
No person shall reinstate municipal storm drain system access to premises terminated pursuant to this section without the prior inspection and approval of the Engineering Department. An unapproved reinstatement shall constitute a violation of this section.
C. 
In the event any person fails to comply with an emergency suspension order or reinstates access in violation of this section, the Stormwater Enforcement Agent may take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimize harm to the public health, safety, welfare or the environment.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
Notwithstanding other requirements of local, state or federal law, as soon as a person responsible for a property or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation has information of any known or suspected release of materials which may result in discharge of pollutants to the municipal drainage system or waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or United States, said person shall take necessary steps to ensure the discovery, containment and cleanup of the release. In the event of such a release of hazardous materials, said person shall also immediately notify emergency response officials of the occurrence by calling E911. In the event of a release of nonhazardous materials, said person shall notify the Engineering Department in person, by phone or by facsimile no later than 4:30 p.m. of the next business day.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
The Stormwater Enforcement Agent or appointed designee shall enforce this article and any regulations promulgated hereunder and may issue and prosecute violation notices and enforcement orders and may pursue all civil and criminal remedies for violations hereunder.
A. 
Civil relief. The Stormwater Enforcement Agent may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain a person from continued violations of the provisions of this article and the regulations promulgated hereunder or of any notices, order or written approvals or to compel said person to abate or remediate the violation(s).
B. 
Orders.
(1) 
The Stormwater Enforcement Agent or an authorized agent of the Stormwater Enforcement Agent may issue a written order to enforce the provisions of this article or the regulations thereunder, which may include:
(a) 
Elimination of illicit connections or discharges to the MS4;
(b) 
Performance of monitoring, analyses, and reporting;
(c) 
That unlawful discharges, practices, or operations shall cease and desist; and
(d) 
Remediation of contamination in connection therewith.
(2) 
If the Stormwater Enforcement Agent determines that abatement or remediation of contamination is required, the order shall set forth a deadline by which such abatement or remediation must be completed. Said order shall further advise that, should the violator or property owner fail to abate or perform remediation within the specified deadline, the City may, at its option, undertake such work, and expenses thereof shall be charged to the violator.
(3) 
Within 30 days after completion by the City of all measures necessary to abate the violation or to perform remediation, the violator and the property owner will be notified of the costs incurred by the City, including administrative costs. The violator or property owner may file a written protest objecting to the amount or basis of costs with the Stormwater Enforcement Agent within 30 days of receipt of the notification of the costs incurred. If the amount due is not received by the expiration of the time in which to file a protest or within 30 days following a decision of the Stormwater Enforcement Agent affirming or reducing the costs, or from a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, the costs shall become a special assessment against the property owner and shall constitute a lien on the owner's property for the amount of said costs. Interest shall begin to accrue on any unpaid costs at the statutory rate provided in MGL c. 59, § 57, after the 31st day at which the costs first become due.
C. 
Criminal penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this article, regulation, order or permit issued thereunder shall be punished by a fine of not more than $200. Each day or part thereof that such violation occurs or continues shall constitute a separate offense.
D. 
Noncriminal disposition. In addition to the other means of enforcement otherwise available for violations of this article, violations may be penalized, as provided by MGL c. 40, § 21D, pursuant to the noncriminal disposition provisions of Section 1-13(b) of the General Ordinances.
E. 
Entry to perform duties under this article. To the extent permitted by state law, or if authorized by the owner or other party in control of the property, the Stormwater Enforcement Agent, its agents, officers, and employees may enter upon privately owned property for the purpose of performing their duties under this article and associated regulations and may make or cause to be made such examinations, surveys or sampling as the Stormwater Enforcement Agent deems reasonably necessary.
F. 
Appeals. The decisions or orders of the Stormwater Enforcement Agent shall be final. Further relief shall be to a court of competent jurisdiction.
G. 
Remedies not exclusive. The remedies listed in this article are not exclusive of any other remedies available under any applicable federal, state or local law.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
The provisions of this article are hereby declared to be severable. If any provision, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this article or the application thereof to any person, establishment, or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application of this article.
[Ord. No. 30917, 6-23-2008]
Residential property owners shall have 90 days from the effective date of this article to comply with its provisions, provided that good cause is shown for the failure to comply during that period.