Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of this Part
1, 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.