13.14.010 Discharging wastewater into natural outlet

It is unlawful to discharge into any natural outlet within the City, or in any area under the jurisdiction of the City, any wastewater or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2386 Exh. A (part), 1985, §13.20.030).

13.14.020 Discharging stormwaters and groundwaters into sanitary sewers

No person(s) shall discharge or cause to be discharged any unpolluted waters such as storm water, surface water, ground water, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters into any sanitary sewer. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2386 Exh. A (part), 1985, §13.20.060).

13.14.030 Stormwater to be discharged into designated sewers

Storm water and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to sewers that are specifically designated as storm sewers or to a natural outlet approved by the City, provided all applicable State of Montana, Department of Health and Environmental Sciences and Environmental Protection Agency regulatory requirements are satisfied. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2386 Exh. A (part), 1985, §13.20.070).

13.14.040 Materials unlawful to discharge into sewer

No discharger shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described substances, waters or wastes into any public sewer or the wastewater disposal system:

1. Any liquids, solids, or gases which by reason of their nature or quantity are, or may be, sufficient either alone or by interaction with other substances to cause fire or explosion hazard, or be injurious in any other way to the POTW or to the operation of the POTW. At no time shall two successive readings on an explosion hazard meter, at the point of discharge into the system (or at any point in the system), be more than five percent nor any single reading over ten percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) of the meter. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to: gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, peroxides, chlorates, perchlorates, bromates, carbides, hydrides, sulfides, any substance with a closed cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees centigrade as determined using the test methods specified in 40 CFR 261.21 and any other substances which are a fire hazard or a hazard to the system.
2. Any waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids, or gases, in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a public nuisance, or create any hazard in the receiving waters.
3. Any waters or wastes having a Ph lower than 5.5 or higher than 9.0 or having any other corrosive property which reasonably could be hazardous to structures, equipment, or personnel of the City, such as, but not limited to, battery or plating acids and wastes, copper sulfate, chromium salts and compounds, or salt brine. Any waters or wastes containing strong acid iron pickling wastes, or concentrated plating solutions whether neutralized or not, shall be prohibited from discharge to the wastewater treatment plant.
4. Solid or viscous substances capable of causing obstruction to flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works such as, but not limited to, ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, spent lime, stone or marble dust, grass clippings, spent grains, spent hops, wastepaper, asphalt residues, residues from refining or processing of fuel or lubricating oil, glass grinding or polishing wastes, animal hides, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, underground garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails and paper dishes, cups, milk containers, disposable diapers, etc. either whole or ground by garbage grinders. The following limits and restrictions shall also apply:
   1. Any water or waste containing fats, wax, grease, or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of one hundred mg/l or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit or zero degrees centigrade and one hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit or sixty-five degrees centigrade.
   2. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded. The installation and operation of any garbage grinder equipped with a motor of three-fourths horsepower (0.76 hp metric) or greater shall be subject to review and approval by the City. Garbage grinders may be connected to sanitary sewers from homes, hotels, institutions, restaurants, hospitals, catering establishments, or similar places where garbage originates from the preparation of food in kitchens for the purpose of consumption on the premises or when served by caterers.
5. Any wastewater containing toxic pollutants in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction, to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or to exceed the limitation promulgated in the EPA Categorical Pretreatment Standards (40 CFR, Subchapter N, Parts 400-471). A toxic pollutant shall include, but not be limited to, any toxic pollutant identified in the EPA List of 126 Priority Pollutants.
6. Any water or wastes which, either singly or by interaction, may result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors or fumes within the POTW in a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems.
7. Any substance which may cause the POTW's effluent or treatment residues, sludges, or scums, to be unsuitable for reclamation and reuse or to interfere with the reclamation process. (In no case, shall a substance discharged to the POTW cause the POTW to be in noncompliance with sludge use or disposal criteria, guidelines or regulations developed under Section 405 of the Act; any criteria, guidelines, or regulations affecting sludge use and disposal developed pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or State standards applicable to the sludge management method.)
8. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than one hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (sixty-five degrees centigrade) or containing heat in amounts which will inhibit biological activity in the POTW resulting in interference, but in no case heat in such quantities that the temperature of the wastewater influent at the treatment plant exceeds one hundred four degrees Fahrenheit (forty degrees centigrade). If, in the opinion of the City, lower temperatures of such wastes could harm either the sewers, sewage treatment process, or equipment; have an adverse effect on the receiving streams or otherwise endanger life, health, or property; or constitute a nuisance, the City may prohibit such discharges.
9. Wastewater containing more than twenty-five milligrams per liter of petroleum oil, non-biodegradable cutting oils, or product of mineral oil origin.
10. Any waters or wastes containing iron, chromium, copper, zinc, and similar objectionable or toxic substances; or wastes exerting any excessive chlorine requirement, to such degree that any such material received in the composite sewage at the sewage treatment works exceeds the limits established by the City for such materials.
11. Any waters or wastes containing phenols or other taste or odor-producing substances, in such concentrations exceeding limits which may be established by the City as necessary, after treatment of the composite sewage, to meet the requirements of the State, federal, or other public agencies of jurisdiction for such discharge to the receiving waters.
12. Any waters, wastes, or materials which exert or cause excessive or objectionable discoloration, such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions.
13. Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by the City in compliance with applicable State or federal regulations.
14. Any unusual volume of flow or concentrations of wastes defined as slug loads or other pollutants (including oxygen-demanding pollutants - BOD, etc.) released in a single extraordinary discharge episode of such volume or strength as to cause interference to the POTW. The following limits shall not be exceeded:
    1. Wastes containing standard five-day biochemical oxygen demand greater than one hundred pounds in any one day unless otherwise approved by the City;
    2. Wastes containing more than one hundred pounds of suspended solids in any one day unless otherwise approved by the City;
    3. A flow of twenty-five thousand gallons or more per average work day unless otherwise approved by the City;
    4. Chlorine demand of more than twenty mg/l unless otherwise approved by the City;
    5. Wastewater at a flow rate and/or pollutant discharge rate which is excessive over relatively short time periods so that there is a treatment process upset and subsequent loss of treatment efficiency.
15. Waters or wastes which, alone or in combination with other waters or wastes, are a cause of interference or pass through as defined elsewhere in this chapter.
16. Any water or wastes which, either singly or by interaction with other water or wastes, release obnoxious gases, form suspended solids which interfere with the collection system, create a condition deleterious to structures and treatment processes, cause a hazard to human life or create a public nuisance. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2601 §§ 2, 3, 1991, §13.20.080; Ord. 2531 §§ 3--5, 1989; Ord. 2386 Exh. A (part)1985).

13.14.050 Mass limitations, prohibitions and amendments

The City may impose mass limitations on discharges which are using dilution to meet the pretreatment standards or requirements of this chapter, or in other cases where imposition of mass limitations is deemed appropriate by the City. No discharger shall increase the use of potable or process water in any way for the purpose of diluting a discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with the standards set forth in this chapter. The City reserves the right to amend this chapter to provide for more stringent limitations or requirements on dischargers to the POTW where deemed necessary to comply with the objectives set forth in this chapter, or is required by changes in the local, State or Federal discharge standards, whichever is more stringent. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2386 Exh. A (part), 1985, §13.20.090).

13.14.060 Treatment of materials discharged to the POTW

If any waters or wastes are discharged or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which exceed or violate the limitations of this section, the City may:

1. Reject the wastes;
2. Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers;
3. Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge;
4. Require payment to cover added cost of handling and treating the wastes not covered by existing taxes or sewer charges. If the City permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the plants and equipment shall be subject to the review and approval of the City and subject to the requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances, and laws; and/or
5. Seek enforcement and legal remedies contained in this chapter for violations of the limitations and provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2386 Exh. A (part), 1985, §13.20.100).

13.14.070 Accidental discharge prohibitions

Each discharger shall provide protection from accidental discharge of prohibited or regulated materials or substances established by this chapter. Where necessary, facilities to prevent accidental discharge of prohibited materials shall be provided and maintained at the discharger's cost and expense. As required by the City, detailed plans showing facilities and operating procedures to provide this protection shall be submitted to the City for review, and shall be approved by the City before construction of the facility. As required by the City, each existing discharger shall complete its plan and submit same to the City within thirty days after formal adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter. No discharger who discharges to the POTW after the aforesaid date shall be permitted to introduce pollutants into the system until accidental discharge protection procedures have been approved by the City. Review and approval of such plans and operating procedures by the City shall not relieve the discharger from the responsibility to modify its facility as necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter.

Dischargers shall notify the City immediately, followed by a written report within five days, upon the occurrence of a slug load or accidental discharge of substances prohibited by this chapter. The notification shall include location of discharge, date and time thereof, type of waste, concentration and volume, and corrective actions. Any discharger who discharges slug loads of prohibited materials shall be liable for any expense, loss or damage to the POTW, in addition to the amount of any fines imposed on the City on account thereof under State or Federal law.

Signs shall be permanently posted in conspicuous places on discharger's premises, advising employees whom to call in the event of a slug load or accidental discharge. Employers shall instruct all employees who may cause or discover such a discharge with respect to emergency notification procedure. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2386 Exh. A (part), 1985, §13.20.143).

13.14.080 Disposal of hauled wastes

Any person wishing to dispose of hauled wastes shall utilize facilities specifically designated for this purpose. Unless express permission is otherwise granted, disposal shall take place at facilities located at the municipal wastewater treatment plant. The discharging of these wastes shall take place only under supervision of City personnel or their agents, unless otherwise approved by the City. Persons disposing of wastes in this manner shall disclose to the City upon demand the nature of the waste and its origin. Prior to acceptance of the waste, the City has the right to sample and analyze the waste and inspect the location of its origin, including all industrial processes which may reasonably have contributed pollutants to the waste. The City has the right to reject any wastes which are prohibited by any section of this chapter. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2532 §1, 1989, §13.20.144).

13.14.090 Control of slug discharges

The City may evaluate each industrial user to determine the need for the discharger to control slug discharges. For the purpose of this section a slug discharge of a non-routine, episodic nature, including, but not limited to, an accidental spill or a non-customary batch discharge. If the City decides that a slug control plan is needed, the plan shall contain, at a minimum, the following elements:

1. Description of discharge practices, including non-routine batch discharges;
2. Description of stored chemicals;
3. Procedures for immediately notifying the City of slug discharges, including any discharge that would violate a prohibition under Section 13.12.110, with procedures for follow-up written notification within five days;
4. If necessary, procedures to prevent adverse impact from accidental spills, including inspection and maintenance of storage areas, handling and transfer of materials, loading and unloading operations, control of plant site run-off, worker training, building of containment structures or equipment, measures for containing toxic organic pollutants (including solvents), and/or measures and equipment for emergency response. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2601 §4, 1991, §13.20.145).