Township of Bethlehem, PA Prohibitions

Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, that allows any nonstormwater discharge including sewage, process wastewater, and wash water to enter the Township's regulated small MS4 or to enter the surface waters of the commonwealth is prohibited.

Any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial land use to the separate storm sewerage system which has not been documented in plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by the Township is prohibited.

No person shall allow, or cause to allow, discharges into the Township's regulated small MS4, or discharges into waters of the commonwealth, which are not composed entirely of stormwater, except:

(1)

As provided in Subsection D below; and

(2)

Discharges authorized under a state or federal permit.

The following discharges are authorized unless they are determined to be significant contributors to pollution of the Township's regulated small MS4 or to the waters of the commonwealth:

(1)

Discharges or flows from firefighting activities;

(2)

Discharges from potable water sources including water line flushing, and fire hydrant flushing, if such discharges do not contain detectable concentrations of total residual chlorine (TRC);

(3)

Noncontaminated irrigation water, water from lawn maintenance, landscape drainage and flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;

(4)

Diverted stream flows and springs;

(5)

Noncontaminated pumped groundwater and water from foundation and footing drains and crawl space pumps;

(6)

Noncontaminated HVAC condensation and water from geothermal systems;

(7)

Residential (i.e., noncommercial) vehicle wash water where cleaning agents are not utilized;

(8)

Noncontaminated hydrostatic test water discharges if such discharges do not contain detectable concentrations of TRC;

(9)

Routine external building wash down which does not use detergents or other compounds;

(10)

Pavement wash waters where spills or leaks of toxic or hazardous materials have not occurred (unless all spill material has been removed) and where detergents are not used;

(11)

Riparian habitats and wetlands; and

(12)

Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges.

In the event that the Township or DEP determines that any of the discharges identified in Subsection D significantly contribute pollutants to the Township's regulated small MS4 or to the waters of the commonwealth, the Township or DEP will notify the responsible person(s) to cease discharge.

Upon notice provided by the Township under Subsection E, the discharger will have a reasonable time, as determined by the Township, to cease the discharge consistent with the degree of pollution caused by the discharge.

Nothing in this section shall affect a discharger's responsibilities under state law.

The following connections are prohibited, except as provided in § 220-66D above:

(1)

Any drain or similar conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows any nonstormwater discharge, including sewage, process wastewater and wash water to enter the separate storm sewerage system and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks; and

(2)

Any drains or similar conveyances connected from a nonresidential land use to the separate storm sewerage system which has not been documented in plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by the Township.