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.