A. 
This chapter is enacted pursuant to those authorities granted the City by the Maine Constitution's Home Rule Provision and by the Legislature pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3001 and 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3401, et seq. and also herein expressly adopting 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3441 et seq., governing assessments.
B. 
The Water Resource Recovery Department (WRRD) is hereby and herein authorized to operate, regulate, maintain, and construct water resource recovery facilities subject to the terms and provisions of this chapter. (Reference: Maine State Statutes, Title 38 Chapter 161)
The purpose of this chapter is to set forth uniform requirements for the discharge, capture, collection, transport, handling, and treatment of wastewater to, within and through the City's Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF) and enable the City to comply with applicable state and federal laws, including the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), State of Maine Statutes (30-M.R.S.A. Chapter 161 et seq.), City of Saco Maine Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MEPDES) permits, and relevant State of Maine regulations set forth by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP). The objectives of this chapter are:
A. 
To prevent introduction of pollutants into the WRRF that will interfere with its operation;
B. 
To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the WRRF that will pass through the WRRF, inadequately treated, into receiving waters, or otherwise be incompatible with the WRRF;
C. 
To protect both the public and the WRRF personnel who may be affected by wastewater and biosolids in the course of their daily operations;
D. 
To promote reuse and recycling of wastewater and biosolids from the WRRF;
E. 
To properly operate and maintain the City's WRRF;
F. 
To enable the City to comply with its Maine Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MEPDES) permit conditions, biosolids use and disposal requirements, and any other federal or state laws to which the WRRF is subject;
G. 
To establish equitable standards, charges, and fees to ensure ongoing operation, maintenance, capital project needs, and debt retirement needs of the WRRF;
H. 
To regulate and monitor residential and nonresidential discharges to the City WRRF;
I. 
To review, issue, and amend wastewater discharge permits (WDPs), which include provisions for industry sector-specific requirements or best management practices (BMPs) which provide for monitoring, reporting, compliance, and enforcement activities;
J. 
To provide for the administration of all permits and fees specified within this chapter;
K. 
To monitor existing sewer users to ensure compliance with existing connection specifications and approvals;
L. 
To provide for the billing and collection of all fees administered by the WRRD;
M. 
To coordinate with other City departments on capital project funding; financial considerations; development reviews; and other items as needed and related to maintenance, operation, and long-term planning initiatives for the City's water resource recovery facilities.
A. 
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Director shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Director shall follow provisions of this chapter and § 1-18 of City Code, Enforcement actions and civil penalties, when taking enforcement- related actions. Any powers granted to or duties imposed upon the Director may be delegated by the Director to a duly authorized City employee, referred to as "designee" throughout this chapter. (Additional reference: City of Saco Code, § 4-20)
B. 
If any waters or wastes are discharged or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which waters contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in this chapter and, in the Director's judgment, may have a deleterious effect upon the WRRF, processes, equipment or receiving waters or otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the Director may:
(1) 
Reject the wastes;
(2) 
Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to public sewers;
(3) 
Require control over quantities and rates of discharge; and/or
(4) 
Require payment to cover added costs of handling and treating the wastes.
C. 
If the Director permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the supporting facilities, plants and equipment shall be subject to review and approval by the Director and subject to requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances, and laws.
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner on public or private property within the City or in any area under the jurisdiction of the City any human or animal excrement, septage, biosolids, garbage or other objectionable waste. (Additional reference: Chapter 181, Solid Waste Ordinance)
It shall be unlawful to discharge upon the land, or in any natural outlet within the City, or in any City sewer line or facility, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the City any sewage or other polluted waters, except as permitted under this chapter and except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
A. 
Sanitary sewers. No person or party shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer, or WRRF facility or equipment. It shall be unlawful for any person or party to discharge sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes to any sewer outlet within the jurisdiction of the City and the City's water resource recovery facilities without having first complied with the terms of this chapter.
B. 
Storm sewers, combined sewers and natural outlets. Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as combined sewers or storm sewers or to a natural outlet approved by the Director. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, on approval of the Director, to a storm sewer, combined sewer or natural outlet.
No person or party shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the City's water resource recovery facilities. Any damage to the City's water resource recovery facilities shall be reported to the Police Department for timely, appropriate investigation and follow-up.