Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of this chapter, whenever
the Superintendent finds, after investigation, that any user is causing,
engaging in, or maintaining a condition or activity which, in the
judgment of the Superintendent, presents an imminent danger to the
public health, safety, or welfare, or to the environment, or is likely
to result in severe damage to the POTW or the environment, and it
therefore appears to be prejudicial to the public interest to allow
the condition or activity to go unabated until notice and an opportunity
for a hearing can be provided, the Superintendent may, without prior
hearing, order such user by notice, in writing wherever practicable
or in such other form as practices are intended to be proscribed,
to discontinue, abate, or alleviate such condition or activity, and
thereupon such person shall immediately discontinue, abate, or alleviate
such condition or activity; or where the giving of notice is impracticable,
or in the event of a user's failure to comply voluntarily with
an emergency order, the Superintendent may take all appropriate action
to abate the violating condition. As promptly as possible thereafter,
not to exceed 15 calendar days, the Superintendent shall provide the
user an opportunity to be heard, in accordance with the provisions
of this article.