A. 
Right to refuse. The Township reserves the right to refuse to accept wastewater or combinations of wastewater which are discharged in violation of the terms or conditions of this chapter or the orders of the Township issued pursuant to the conditions of this chapter. The Township may take such steps as it deems necessary to compel discontinuance of use of the sewer system or pretreatment of industrial wastes in order to comply with the provisions of this chapter. The Township may exercise its right of refusal by denial of issuance of a wastewater discharge permit; in such a case the discharge of the subject industrial waste is prohibited.
B. 
Notice of violation. When the Township finds that an industrial user has violated, or continues to violate these regulations, a wastewater discharge permit, or any prohibition, limitation or pretreatment standard or requirement, the Township may issue a written notice of violation to the industrial user. Within 30 days of the receipt of the notice of violation (or such other time as provided by the Township), an explanation of the violation and a plan for the satisfactory correction and prevention thereof, to include specific required actions, shall be submitted by the industrial user to the Township. Submission of this plan in no way relieves the industrial user of liability for any violations occurring before or after receipt of the notice of violation. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the Township to take any action, including emergency actions or any other enforcement action, without first issuing a notice of violation.
C. 
Administrative orders. The Township may issue written directions, as described in Subsection D of this section, without a show cause hearing if the Township determines that such directions are necessary to correct conditions or remedy continuing noncompliances with these regulations or any wastewater discharge permit or other requirements of the industrial pretreatment program or directions of the Township or federal or state regulations. Failure of an industrial user to comply with written directions issued pursuant to this subsection constitutes a separate and distinct noncompliance with these regulations.
D. 
Show cause hearing.
(1) 
The Township may order any industrial user who causes or allows an unauthorized discharge to enter the sewer system or who violates any condition or requirement of the industrial pretreatment program, its wastewater discharge permit or any pretreatment standard or requirement to show cause before the Township why the proposed enforcement action should not be taken. A notice shall be served on the industrial user specifying the time and place of a hearing to be held by the Township regarding the violation, the proposed enforcement action and the reasons why the action is to be taken and directing the industrial user to show cause before the Board of Commissioners of Upper Allen Township why the proposed enforcement action should not be taken. The notice of the hearing shall be served personally or by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) at least 10 days before the hearing. Service may be made on any agent or officer of a corporation if the industrial user is a corporation.
(2) 
The Board of Commissioners may itself conduct the hearing and take the evidence or may designate any of its members or any employee, agent or representative of the Township to:
(a) 
Issue in the name of the Township notices of hearings requesting the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relevant to any matter involved in such hearings.
(b) 
Take the evidence.
(c) 
Transmit a report of the evidence and hearing, including transcripts and other evidence, together with recommendations to the Township for action thereon.
(3) 
At any hearing held pursuant to this section, testimony taken may be under oath and recorded electronically or stenographically. The transcript, so recorded, will be made available to any member of the public or any party to the hearing upon payment of the usual charges therefor.
(4) 
After the Township has reviewed the evidence, it may, in writing, direct the industrial user to take certain actions to correct the unauthorized discharge or to achieve compliance. The direction may be in the form of a schedule for compliance, setting dates by which certain actions shall be taken. The actions which may be directed include, but are not limited to:
(a) 
Installation of pretreatment facilities or equipment.
(b) 
Modification or additions to existing pretreatment facilities or equipment.
(c) 
Initiation of management practices which are required to alter the nature of the industrial waste being discharged.
(d) 
Development or implementation of PPC plans or other measures.
(e) 
Other measures found to be necessary to correct the unauthorized discharge or other noncompliance.
(5) 
Failure of an industrial user to comply with written directions issued pursuant to a hearing constitutes a separate and distinct noncompliance with this chapter.
E. 
Right of appeal.
(1) 
An industrial user may appeal the enforcement actions enumerated in this section, the denial of issuance of a wastewater discharge permit, or conditions contained in a wastewater discharge permit. A notice of violation or notice to appear at a show cause hearing shall not be appealed. An appeal is subject to the following requirements:
(a) 
An appeal shall be made in writing to the Township.
(b) 
An appeal must be made within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the wastewater discharge permit or revision to a wastewater discharge permit, notice of denial of issuance of a wastewater discharge permit, receipt of written directions, or notice of suspension or revocation of a wastewater discharge permit, which action is being appealed by the industrial user.
(c) 
The appeal must state the specific provision(s) of a wastewater discharge permit or the specific action(s) of the Township which are being contested.
(d) 
The appeal must state the reasons for the appeal of each provision or action.
(e) 
The appeal may suggest alternate or revised provisions or actions to replace those appealed.
(f) 
An appeal of a wastewater discharge permit may include a request to stay specific permit conditions pending the outcome of the appeal. Any such request shall include all factual and legal justification for such a request.
(2) 
Provisions specifically mandated by federal or state regulations (e.g., compliance with federal categorical pretreatment standards) shall not be appealed. Conditions which, in the opinion of the Township, may constitute a hazard or pose a potential threat of pollution if stayed shall not be stayed during an appeal. Grant of a stay of permit conditions during an appeal shall be made at the sole discretion of the Township.
(3) 
The appeal shall be reviewed by any designated representative(s) of the Township, provided:
(a) 
The representative shall not be the Township Manager.
(b) 
The representative shall not be the Pretreatment Coordinator if the Pretreatment Coordinator is the individual who took the action being appealed (e.g., issuance of a wastewater discharge permit).
(4) 
Within 60 days of receipt, the representative(s) reviewing the appeal shall report in writing to the Township the results of the review. The report shall contain, at a minimum:
(a) 
A summary of each item appealed, the appellant's reasons for appeal and the appellant's proposed remedies, if any. A copy of the appeal itself may suffice to provide this information.
(b) 
The finding of merit for each point of appeal and the reason(s) for so finding.
(c) 
For each point of appeal found to be with merit, a proposed remedy and a finding that the remedy is allowable under this chapter and all applicable federal, state and local rules, regulations and laws.
(5) 
Review of appeal and report.
(a) 
The Township or a board of appeal appointed by the Township may, upon its own initiative or in response to a request by the permittee, review the appeal and the report and, at one or more regular or special public meetings, take any additional testimony offered by the appellant, reviewer, Pretreatment Program Coordinator or other interested party. The Township or the board of appeal, if invested with the power to act on behalf of the Township, may, within a reasonable time, decide to:
[1] 
Grant a stay of wastewater discharge permit conditions pending a final decision on the merits of a permit appeal (this decision may be made at a separate meeting from the determination of the merits of an appeal so as to provide a timely response to the request for a stay of conditions);
[2] 
Grant the appeal or portions of the appeal, applying such remedies as it deems proper; or
[3] 
Deny the appeal or portions of the appeal.
(b) 
The decision to grant, partially grant or deny an appeal constitutes final administrative action.
(6) 
If the Township or any hearing board appointed by the Township shall have as a member any person who has a financial, legal or other proprietary interest in the industrial user bringing the appeal, such person shall recuse himself from any vote which shall determine the decision of the body in regard to the appeal.
(7) 
Action of the Township for which review had been available (e.g., adoption of a resolution or issuance, modification, suspension or revocation of a wastewater discharge permit) shall not be subject to administrative or judicial review in any civil or criminal proceeding for enforcement.
F. 
Termination of sewer service. The Township may immediately suspend an industrial user's discharge, after notice to the industrial user, whenever such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge which reasonably appears to present or cause an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons. The Township may also immediately suspend an industrial user's discharge, after notice and opportunity to respond, that threatens to interfere with the operation of the sewage treatment plant, or which presents, or may present, an endangerment to the environment. Nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted as requiring a hearing prior to any termination of sewer service under this subsection.
(1) 
Any industrial user notified of a suspension of its discharge shall immediately stop or eliminate the discharge to the sewage treatment plant. In the event of a failure by the industrial user to immediately comply voluntarily with the termination order, the Township shall take steps, as deemed necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer connection, to prevent or minimize damage to the sewage treatment plant, its receiving stream, or endangerment to any individuals. The Township shall allow the industrial user to recommence its discharge when the industrial user has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Township that the period of endangerment has passed, unless the termination proceedings set forth in § 200-6.8F of Article VI of these regulations are initiated against the industrial user.
(2) 
An industrial user that is responsible, in whole or in part, for any discharge presenting imminent endangerment shall submit a detailed written statement describing the causes of the harmful contribution and the measures taken to prevent any future occurrence to the Township within five days of the date of occurrence as stipulated in § 200-7.6 of Article VII of these regulations or prior to the date of any show cause hearing under Subsection D of this section, whichever date is earlier.
A. 
Injunctive relief. When the Township finds that an industrial user has violated or continues to violate these regulations or a wastewater discharge permit issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment standard or requirement, or determines that the discharge from an industrial user presents imminent or substantial harm to the sewer system or the public, the discharge from the industrial user causes the sewage treatment plant to violate any condition of its NPDES permit, or the industrial user has shown a lack of ability or intention to comply with a pretreatment standard, the Township may petition the Court of Common Pleas for Cumberland County, through the Township Solicitor, for the issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction, as appropriate, which restrains or compels the specific performance of the wastewater discharge permit, or other requirement imposed by these regulations, on the activities of the industrial user.
B. 
Civil remedies. When the Township finds that an industrial user has violated or continues to violate these regulations or a wastewater discharge permit issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment standard or requirement, the Township may recover costs for reestablishing the operation of the sewage treatment plant, cost for reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and other expenses associated with the enforcement activities, including sampling and monitoring expenses, and the cost of any actual damages incurred by the Township.
C. 
Criminal prosecution. Any industrial user that has willfully or negligently violated or continues to violate these regulations or a wastewater discharge permit issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment standard or requirement, may be subject to criminal liability under federal, state and/or local law.
D. 
Falsifying information. Any industrial user who knowingly makes any false statements, representations or certifications in any application, record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to these regulations or wastewater discharge permit, or who falsifies, tampers with or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required under these regulations, may be subject to criminal liability under federal, state and/or local law.
E. 
Civil/criminal penalties for industrial users. Any person who violates any of the terms, provisions or requirements of the pretreatment program or any of the applicable rules and regulations or whoever refuses or neglects to comply with any notice given pursuant to the pretreatment program to such person or whoever obstructs or interferes with any person in the enforcement of the pretreatment program shall, upon conviction thereof, severally for each and every such violation or noncompliance, respectively, be fined not less than $500 and not more than $5,000, and costs, and/or imprisoned for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each twenty-four-hour period during which a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense and punishable as such.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. 
Treatment upsets.
(1) 
For the purposes of this section, "upset" means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with federal categorical pretreatment standards because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the industrial user.
(2) 
An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation.
(3) 
An upset shall constitute an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with federal categorical pretreatment standards if the requirements of this section are met. An industrial user who wishes to establish the affirmative defense of "upset" shall demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs or other relevant evidence, that:
(a) 
An upset occurred and the industrial user can identify the cause(s) of the upset.
(b) 
The facility was at the time being operated in a prudent and workmanlike manner and in compliance with applicable operation and maintenance procedures.
(c) 
The industrial user has submitted the following information to the Township within 24 hours of becoming aware of the upset. If this information is provided orally, a written submission must be provided within five days from the date the industrial user became aware of the upset. The written submission shall include the following information:
[1] 
A description of the indirect discharge and cause of noncompliance.
[2] 
The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue.
[3] 
Steps being taken and/or planned to reduce, eliminate and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance.
(4) 
In any enforcement proceeding, the industrial user seeking to establish the occurrence of an upset shall have the burden of proof. An industrial user will have the opportunity for a judicial determination on any claim of upset only in an enforcement action brought for noncompliance with federal categorical pretreatment standards. The industrial user shall control production of all discharges to the extent necessary to maintain compliance with federal categorical pretreatment standards upon reduction, loss or failure of its treatment facility until the facility is restored or an alternative method of treatment is provided. This requirement applies in the situation where, among other things, the primary source of power of the treatment facility is reduced, lost or fails.
B. 
Treatment bypasses. For the purposes of this section, "bypass" means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of an industrial user's treatment facility. "Severe property damage" means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities, which causes them to be inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources, which can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production. An industrial user may allow a bypass to occur which does not cause pretreatment standards or requirements to be violated, but only if it is for essential maintenance to ensure efficient operation of the treatment system. These types of bypasses are not subject to the following provisions:
(1) 
Industrial users anticipating a bypass must submit notice to the Township at least 10 days in advance, if possible. Industrial users shall provide oral notice to the Township within 24 hours of discovery of an unanticipated bypass that exceeds applicable pretreatment standards. Industrial users shall submit a written report to the Township within five days of becoming aware of the bypass. The written report shall contain a description of the bypass and its cause, the duration of the bypass, including exact dates and times, and, if the bypass has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue, and steps being taken or planned to reduce, eliminate and prevent recurrence of the bypass. The Township may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis if the oral report has been received within 24 hours.
(2) 
A bypass of the treatment system without Township approval is prohibited and the Township may take an enforcement action against an industrial user for a bypass unless all of the following conditions are met:
(a) 
The bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage.
(b) 
There is no feasible alternative to the bypass, including the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastewater, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. This condition is not satisfied if adequate backup equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance.
(c) 
The industrial user properly notifies the Township as described in this section.
(3) 
The Township may approve an anticipated bypass, after considering its adverse effects, if the Township determines that the industrial user will meet the conditions in this section.