HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-07-2010 Ordinance Storm Water DrainageTOWN OF
WATERTOWN
Department of Community
Development and Planning
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6417
Fax: 617-972-6484
To: Honorable Town Council
Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager
From: Steve Magoon, DCDP Directo
Date: December 2, 2010
Subject: Proposed Draft Ordinance: Prohibition of Illicit Discharges to the Storm
Drainage System
I am writing at the request of the Stormwater Advisory Committee. As you recall, as
indicated in the attached Resolution 2009-36, one of the charges of this committee was to assist
in the preparation of storm water related regulations for Council's consideration. Adoption of
these regulations is also a condition of the Town's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit. Therefore, attached is a draft regulation for introduction to the
Council.
The draft is the result on an initial document prepared by the Town's consultant team,
and then several iterations produced by the Advisory Committee. In our deliberations we
consulted both model ordinances as well as versions adopted by other communities.
We would respectfully request the proposed draft Ordinance related to the Prohibition of
Illicit Discharges to the Storm Drainage System be placed on the December 7" Town Council
Agenda as a First Reading and Referral to Committee.
Thank you for your consideration in the matter.
cc: Gerald S. Mee Jr., Superintendent of Public Works
Maria Rose, Chair, Stormwater Advisory Committee
Mark R. Reich, Esquire, Kopelman & Paige, P.C.
TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972.6470
Fax: 617.972.6485
www.watcrtown-ma.gov
Elected Officials:
Clyde L. Younger, Council President
Mark S. Sideris, Vice President
Stephen P Corbett
Marilyn M. Pedtto.Devaney
Susan O. Falkoff
Jonathan Hecht
Angeline B. Kaunelis
John J. Lawn, Jr.
Vincent J. Plccirilll, Jr.
Resolution N R-09- .
WHEREAS, the Charles River is central to Watertown's identity, and is the Town's most important natural resource
and well -used recreational attraction; and
WHEREAS, in a densely built-up city like Wntertown, largo volutnes of stonnwater, contaminated by runoff from
impervious surfaces, flow into the Charles River carrying pollution, nutrients, and silt which continue to degrade the
river's water quality; and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) have continued to impose stricter stormwater regulations on communities
stin•ounding the Charles River to improve water quality by reducing the amount of contaminants discharged into the
river; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Watertown, as an operator of an EPA regulated Stormwater Phase 11 small Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), is required to include public participation and involvement In Its stormwater
management program to meet the conditions of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit; and
WHEREAS, effective stormwater management involves land use planning and citizen education, as well as
Department of Public Works management of the storm drain and sewer system.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the City known as the Town of Watertown
hereby creates a Stormwater Advisory Committee to act as an advisory body to the Superintendent of Public Works,
with goals defined as follows:
1) Review and snake recommendations on a new stormwater onlinnnce and related regulations being
developed by the Town;
2) Rlonti& and advocate for stonnwater funding through grants or other sources;
3) Develop cducationtd programs to Increase public awareness of stormwater management;
4) Perform any other tasks relevant to assisting the Superintendent with the implementation of best practices '
for stormwater management.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Stormwater Advisory Committee shall consist of one Planning Department
employee appointed by the Director of Community Development and Planning, one DPW employee appointed by
the Superintendent of Public Works; the Conservation Agent, and four citizen members; 3 to be appointed by the
Town Manager and confirmed by the Town Council and 1 to be appointed by the Council President;
that there shall be a balance of expertise in the citizen members, and that to the greatest extent possible, two of the
four citizen members shall have professional experience related to stormwater management;
that teams of the inititd citizen mem¢ens shall be for one or two yeas and so ananged that the terns of half of the
members shall expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of two years;
that the Committee shall choose a chair from its citizen members, and shall hold regular scheduled meetings;
and that the Committee shall present reports and recommendations directly to the Superintendent of Public Works,
and shall also make an annunl progress report to the Town Council,
Council Member
I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was present, the above Resolution
was ado edby a vote of 9 for, 0 against and (1 present on y /1,1 ^67 , 2009,
Valerie Papas
Clerk of the Council
Clyde L. Younger
Council President
Prohibition of Illicit Discharges to the Storm Drainage System
Watertown, Massachusetts
ORDINANCE NO.
FINAL Draft— NOVEMBER 17, 2010
SECTION 1 PURPOSE/INTENT
The purpose of this ordinance is to provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens
of Watertown through the regulation of all discharges to the storm drainage system. This ordinance
establishes methods for controlling the introduction of pollutants into the municipal separate storm
sewer system (MS4) in order to comply with requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit process. The objectives of this ordinance are:
(1) To prevent the contribution of pollutants to the MS4 by stormwater discharges by any user
(2) To prohibit Illicit Connections and Discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system
(3) To establish legal authority to carry out all inspection, surveillance, monitoring and
enforcement procedures necessary to ensure compliance with this ordinance
(4) To require the removal of all such illicit connections
(5) To comply with state and federal statutes and regulations relating to stormwater discharges.
SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this ordinance, the following shall mean:
Authorized Enforcement Agency: employees or designees of the Watertown Department of Public
Works.
Best Management Practices (BMPs): any measure that reduces the quantity or improves the
stonnwater quality including, but not limited to: schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices,
general good house keeping practices, pollution prevention and educational practices, maintenance
procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly
or indirectly to stormwater, receiving waters, or stormwater conveyance systems. BMPs also include
treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices to control site runoff, spillage or leaks,
sludge or water disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage.
Clean Water Act. The federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), and any
subsequent amendments thereto.
Construction Activity. Activities subject to NPDES Construction Permits. These include
construction projects resulting in land disturbance of 1 acre or more. Such activities include but are
not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and demolition.
Hazardous Materials. Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination thereof, which
because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause,
or significantly contribute to; a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety,
property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise
managed.
Illicit Discharge. Any direct or indirect non-stonnwater discharge to the storm drain system, except
as exempted in Section 10 of this ordinance.
Illicit Connections. An illicit connection is defined as either of the following:
(1) Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows an illicit discharge
to enter the storm drain system including, but not limited to any conveyances which allow any non-
stormwater discharge including sewage, process wastewater, and wash water to enter the stone drain
system and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks, regardless of
whether said drain or connection had been previously allowed, permitted; or approved by an
hazardous materials, said person shall notify the Watertown Department of Public Works in person
or by phone or facsimile no later than the next business day. Notifications in person or by phone shall
be confirmed by written notice addressed and mailed to the Watertown Department of Public Works
within three business days of the phone notice. If the discharge of prohibited materials emanates
from a commercial or industrial establishment, the owner or operator of such establishment shall also
retain an on -site written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its recurrence. Such
records shall be retained for at least time years.
SECTION 13 ENFORCEMENT
The Watertown Department of Public Works or an authorized agent of the Department shall enforce
the provisions of this Ordinance and any regulations promulgated hereunder and may issue and
prosecute violation notices and enforcement orders and may pursue all civil and criminal remedies
for such violations.
A. Civil Relief
The Department of Public Works may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to
restrain a person from continued violations of the provision of this Ordinance or the regulations
promulgated hereunder, or any notices, orders or written approvals or to compel said person to abate
or remediate the violations hereunder.
B. Orders
The Department of Public Works or an authorized agent of the Department may issue a written order
to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance and the regulations promulgated hereunder, which may
include:
(a) Elimination of illicit connections or discharges to the MS4;
(b) Performance of monitoring, analysis, and reporting
(c) That unlawful discharges, practices, or operations shall cease and desist;
(d) Remediation of contamination in connection therewith;
(e) Payment of a fine to cover administrative and remediation costs; and
(f) Implementation of source control or treatment BMPs.
If the enforcing person determines that abatement or remediation of contamination is required,
the order shall set forth a deadline by which such abatement or remediation must be completed.
Said order shall further advise that, should the violator or property owner fail to abate or perform
remediation within the specified deadline, the Watertown Department of Public Works may, at
its option, undertake such work, and expenses thereof shall be charged to the violator.
C. Criminal Penalty
Any person who violates any provision of this Ordinance, the regulations promulgated hereunder, an
order or written approval issued hereunder, shall be subject to a fine after an Order or Notice of
Violation is given up to $300.00 per violation. Each day or part thereof that such violation occurs or
continues shall constitute a separate offense. Violations may result in the revocation of licenses
issued by the Town. This provision may be enforced through non -criminal disposition.
SECTION 4 AUTHORITY
This ordinance is adopted under authority granted by the Home Rule Amendment of the
Massachusetts Constitution, the Home Rule statutes, and pursuant to the regulations of the
federal Clean Water Act found at 40 CFR 122.34.
SECTION 5 RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTRATION
The Watertown Department of Public Works shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions
of this ordinance. Any powers granted or duties imposed in compliance with this Ordinance may be
delegated in writing by the Superintendent of Public Works to persons or entities acting in the
beneficial interest of or as the authorized agent of the Department of Public Works.
SECTION 6 ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY
The standards set forth herein and promulgated pursuant to this ordinance are minimum standards;
therefore this ordinance does not intend nor imply that compliance by any person will ensure that
there will be no contamination, pollution, nor unauthorized discharge of pollutants.
SECTION 7 DISCHARGE PROHIBITIONS
Prohibition of Illicit Discharges.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the municipal storm drain system or
watercourses any materials, including but not limited to pollutants or waters containing any
pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than
stormwater.
The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illicit discharge to the storm drain system is
prohibited. The following discharges are exempt provided they are not significant sources of
pollution:
(a) Water line flushing or other potable water sources, landscape irrigation or lawn watering,
diverted stream flows, rising ground water, ground water infiltration to storm drains,
uncontaminated pumped ground water, foundation or footing drains (not including active
groundwater dewatering systems), crawl space pumps, air conditioning condensation, springs,
non-commercial washing of vehicles, natural riparian habitat or wetland flows, swimming pools
(provided the water is left untreated for one week prior to draining), fire fighting activities, and
any other water source not containing Pollutants.
(b) Discharges specified in writing by the authorized enforcement agency as being necessary to
protect public health and safety or the environment.
(c) Dye testing is an allowable discharge, but requires a verbal notification to the authorized
enforcement agency prior to the time of the test.
(d) The prohibition shall not apply to any non-stormwater discharge permitted under an NPDES
permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered under the
authority of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, provided that the discharge is in full
compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and
regulations, and provided that written approval has been granted for any discharge to the storm
drain system.
Prohibition of Illicit Connections.
(a) The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections to the storm
drain system is prohibited.
(b) This prohibition expressly includes, without limitation, illicit connections made in the past,
regardless of whether the connection was permissible under law or practices applicable or
prevailing at the time of connection.
(c) A person is considered to be in violation of this ordinance if the person connects a line
conveying sewage to the storm drainage system, or allows such a connection to continue.
SECTION 8 SUSPENSION 01? MS4 ACCESS
Suspension due to Illicit Discharges in Emergency Situations
The Watertown Department of Public Works may, without prior notice, suspend access to the MS4
when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge which presents or may
present imminent danger to the environment, the health or welfare of persons, the MS4 or Waters of
the Commonwealth. If the violator fails to comply with a suspension order issued in an emergency,
the authorized enforcement agency may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize
damage to the MS4 or Waters of the Commonwealth, or to minimize danger to persons or the
environment.
Suspension or Termination due to the Detection of Illicit Discharge
Any person discharging to the MS4 in violation of this ordinance may have their MS4 access
suspended or terminated if such action would abate or reduce an illicit discharge.
A person commits an offense if the person reinstates MS4 access to premises terminated pursuant to
this Section, without the prior approval of the authorized enforcement agency.
SECTION 9 INDUSTRIAL OR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY DISCHARGES
Any person subject to an industrial or construction activity NPDES stormwater discharge permit
shall comply with all provisions of such permit. Proof of compliance with said permit may be
required in a form acceptable to the Watertown Department of Public Works prior to the allowing of
discharges to the MS4.
SECTION 10 MONITORING OF DISCHARGES
A. Applicability.
This section applies to industrial facilities that are regulated and have a permit to discharge under
the EPA Multi -Sector General Permit (MSGP) and have stormwater discharges impacting or
suspected of impacting on the Watertown MS4. It also applies to any person subject to obtaining
a NPDES Permit for construction activities.
B. Access to Facilities.
(a) The Watertown Department of Public Works shall be permitted to enter and inspect facilities
subject to regulation under this ordinance as often as may be necessary to determine compliance with
this ordinance. If a discharger has security measures in force which require proper identification and
clearance before entry into its premises, the discharger shall make the necessary arrangements to
allow access to representatives of the authorized enforcement agency.
(b) Facility operators shall allow Watertown Department of Public Works ready access to all parts of
the premises for the purposes of inspection, sampling and examination and copying of records that
must be kept under the conditions of an NPDES permit to discharge stormwater, and the
performance of any additional duties as defined by state and federal law.
(c) The Watertown Department of Public Works shall have the right to set up on any permitted
facility such devices as are necessary in the opinion of the authorized enforcement agency to conduct
monitoring and/or sampling of the facility's stormwater discharge.
(d) The Watertown Department of Public Works has the right to require the discharger to install
monitoring equipment as necessary. The facility's sampling and monitoring equipment shall be
maintained at all times in a safe and proper operating condition by the discharger at its own expense.
All devices used to measure stormwater flow and quality shall be calibrated to ensure their accuracy.
(e) Any temporary or permanent obstruction to safe and easy access to the facility to be inspected
and/or sampled shall be promptly removed by the operator at the written or oral request of the
Watertown Department of Public Works and shall not be replaced. The costs of clearing such access
shall be borne by the operator.
(f) Unreasonable delays in allowing the Watertown Department of Public Works access to a
permitted facility is a violation of this ordinance. The operator of a facility with a NPDES permit to
discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity commits an offense if the person denies the
Town reasonable access to the permitted facility for the purpose of conducting any activity
authorized or required by this ordinance.
(g) If the Watertown Department of Public Works has been refused access to any part of the
premises from which stonnwater is discharged, and he/she is able to demonstrate probable cause to
believe that there may be a violation of this ordinance, or that there is a need to inspect and/or sample
as part of a routine inspection and sampling program designed to verify compliance with this
ordinance or any order issued hereunder, or to protect the overall public health, safety, and welfare of
the community, then the authorized enforcement agency may seek issuance of a search warrant from
any court of competent jurisdiction.
SECTION 11 WATERCOURSE PROTECTION
Every person owning property through which a watercourse passes, or such person's lessee, shall
keep and maintain that part of the watercourse within the property free of trash, debris, excessive
vegetation, and other obstacles that would pollute, contaminate, or significantly retard the flow of
water through the watercourse. In addition, the owner or lessee shall maintain existing privately
owned structures within or adjacent to a watercourse, so that such structures will not become a
hazard to the use, function, or physical integrity of the watercourse.
SECTION 12 NOTIFICATION OF SPILLS
Notwithstanding other requirements of law, as soon as any person responsible for a facility or
operation, or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation has information of any
known or suspected release of materials which are resulting or may result in illicit discharges or
pollutants discharging into stormwater, the storm drain system, or Waters of the Commonwealth
said person shall take all necessary steps to ensure the discovery, containment, and cleanup of such
release. In the event of such a release of oil or hazardous materials said person shall immediately
notify the Watertown Fire Department and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection of the occurrence via emergency dispatch services. In the event of a release of non-
authorized enforcement agency, (2) any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or
industrial land use to the storm drain system which has not been documented in plans, maps, or
equivalent records and approved by an authorized enforcement agency.
Industrial Activity. Activities subject to NPDES Industrial Permits as defined in 40 CFR, Section
122.26 (b)(14).
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Discharge Permit. apennit
issued by EPA (or by a State under authority delegated pursuant to 33 USC § 1342(b)) that
authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States, whether the permit is applicable
on an individual, group, or general area -wide basis.
Non-Stormwater Discharge. Any discharge to the storm drain system that is not composed entirely of
stormwater.
Person : An individual, partnership, association, firm, company, trust, corporation, agency, authority,
department or political subdivision of the Commonwealth or the federal government, to the extent
permitted by law, and any officer, employee, or agent of such person.
Pollutant. Any element or property of sewage, agricultural, industrial or commercial waste, runoff,
leachate, heated effluent, or other matter, in whatever form and whether originating at a point or
major non -point source, which is or may be discharged, drained or otherwise introduced into any
sewerage system, treatment works, or waters of the Commonwealth.
Pollution. The presence in the environment of pollutants in quantities or characteristics which are or
may be injurious to human, plant or animal life or to property or which unreasonably interfere with
the comfortable enjoyment of life and property throughout such areas as may be affected thereby.
Premises. Any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land whether improved or unimproved
including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips.
Storm Drain System. Publicly -owned facilities by which stormwater is collected and/or conveyed,
including but not limited to any roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, gutters, curbs, inlets,
piped storm drains, pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human -made or
altered drainage channels, reservoirs, and other drainage structures.
Stormwater. Any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely of water from any form of
natural precipitation, and resulting from such precipitation.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A document which describes the Best Management Practices
and activities to be implemented by a person to identify sources of pollution or contamination at a
site and the actions to eliminate or reduce pollutant discharges to Stormwater, Stormwater
Conveyance Systems, and/or Receiving Waters to the Maximum Extent Practicable.
Wastewater means any water or other liquid, other than uncontaminated stormwater, discharged from
a facility.
Watercourse. A natural or man-made channel through which water flows or a stream of water,
including a river, brook or underground stream.
Waters Of The Commonwealth. All waters within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, including,
without limitation, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, springs, impoundments, estuaries, wetlands, coastal
waters, and groundwater.
SECTION 3 APPLICABILITY
This ordinance shall apply to flows entering a municipally owned storm drainage system, a
watercourse, and any waters of the Commonwealth located within the boundaries of the Town of
Watertown.
D. Non -Criminal Disposition
As an alternative to criminal prosecution or civil action, the Town may elect to utilize the non-
criminal disposition procedure set forth in M.G.L. c. 40, §21D.
E. Appeals
The decisions or orders of the Superintendent of Public Works shall be final. Further relief shall be
to a court of competent jurisdiction.
F. Remedies Not Exclusive
The remedies listed in this section are not exclusive of any other remedies available under any
applicable federal, state or local law.
SECTION 14 SEVERABILITY
The provisions of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. If any provision, paragraph,
sentence, or clause of this ordinance or application thereof to any person, establishment, or
circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application
of this Ordinance.
SECTION 15 ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 15 days after its final passage and adoption. All prior
ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of 20 , by the following vote: