(A) The Director may immediately suspend a User’s discharge, after informal notice to the User, whenever such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge, which reasonably appears to present, or cause an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons. The Director may also immediately suspend a User’s discharge, after notice and opportunity to respond, that threatens to interfere with the operation of the POTW, or which presents, or may present, an endangerment to the environment.

(B) Any User notified of a suspension of its discharge shall immediately stop or eliminate its contribution. In the event of a User’s failure to immediately comply voluntarily with the suspension order, the Director may take such steps as deemed necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer connection, to prevent or minimize damage to the POTW, its receiving stream, or endangerment to any individuals. The Director may allow the User to recommence its discharge when the User has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director that the period of endangerment has passed, unless the other proceeding initiated against the User precludes recommencing of the discharge.

(C) A User that is responsible, in whole or in part, for any discharge presenting imminent endangerment shall submit a detailed written statement, describing the causes of the harmful contribution and the measures taken to prevent any future occurrence, to the Director.

(D) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as requiring a judicial proceeding or hearing prior to any emergency suspension under this section. For the purposes of this section, informal notice may mean either oral or written notice and does not mean actual notice. (Ord. 14-1290, passed 3-3-2014; Am. Ord. 23-1584, passed 9-25-2023)