(a) 
A user who wishes to establish an affirmative defense for a discharge violation event shall demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that:
(1) 
The event and resulting violation was caused solely by an act of God, war, strike, riot, or other catastrophe as defined by the Texas Water Code, section 7.251, as amended.
(2) 
The user must submit the following information verbally to the director within twenty-four (24) hours and in writing within five (5) days of becoming aware of the event:
(A) 
A description and cause of the noncompliant discharge;
(B) 
The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the noncompliance is expected to continue; and
(C) 
Steps being taken and/or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance.
(3) 
In an action brought in municipal or state court, if the user can establish that an event that would otherwise be a violation of a pretreatment ordinance or permit issued under this division was solely caused by a circumstance in subsection (a)(1) of this section, the event is not a violation of this division or permit.
(b) 
In any enforcement proceeding, the user seeking to establish an affirmative defense shall have the burden of proof.
(c) 
Users will have the opportunity for a judicial determination on any claim of the applicability of an affirmative defense only in an enforcement action brought for noncompliance with pretreatment standards.
(d) 
Users shall control production and quality of all discharges to the extent necessary to maintain compliance with pretreatment standards upon reduction, loss, or failure of its treatment facility until the facility is restored or an alternative method of treatment is primary source of power of the treatment facility is reduced, lost, or fails.
(Ordinance 2011-01, sec. 1, adopted 1/11/11)
(a) 
A user may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause pretreatment standards or requirements to be violated, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provision of subsections (c) and (d) of this section unless requested by the director.
(b) 
Bypass.
(1) 
If a user knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to the director at least ten (10) days before the date of the bypass, if possible.
(2) 
A user shall submit oral notice to the director of unanticipated bypass that exceeds applicable pretreatment standards within twenty-four (24) hours from the time it becomes aware of the bypass. A written submission shall also be provided within five (5) days of the time the user becomes aware of the bypass. The written submission 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 taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the bypass. The director may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis if the oral report has been received within twenty-four (24) hours.
(c) 
Bypass exceptions.
(1) 
Bypass is prohibited, and the director may take an enforcement action against a user for a bypass, unless:
(A) 
Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;
(B) 
There was no feasible alternative to the bypass, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance. 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; and
(C) 
The user submitted notices as required under subsection (c) of this section and the bypass will not cause harm to the POTW(s) and its employees or violations of its permits and applicable federal or state regulations.
(2) 
The director may approve an anticipated bypass for a specified period of time, after considering its adverse effects, if the director determines that it will meet the three conditions listed in subsection (c)(1) of this section.
(Ordinance 2011-01, sec. 1, adopted 1/11/11)