§ 18-5. Prohibition of non-stormwater discharges into stormwater management facilities or waters of the state.

(a)

Prohibitions. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the city stormwater management facilities or waters of the state any of the following:

(1)

Oils and grease.

(2)

Explosive mixtures. Pollutants that create a fire or explosion hazard. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethers, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, peroxides, chlorates, perchlorates, bromates, carbides, hydrides and sulfides.

(3)

Noxious material. Noxious or malodorous solids, liquids or gases which, either singly or by interaction with other chemicals, are capable of creating a public nuisance or hazard to life, or may prevent entry into a storm sewer for its maintenance and repair.

(4)

Garbage. Garbage is any commercial our household debris not natural to the stormwater system, which will or may cause obstruction to the flow in a storm sewer, or other interference with the proper operation of the stormwater management facilities. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, appliances, shopping carts, bags of household garbage and/or yard waste, tires, bicycles, construction materials, and similar materials.

(5)

Solid or floatable waste. Solid or floatable discharges which will or may cause interference with the proper operation of the stormwater management facilities. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, grease, garbage, animal feces, ashes, cinders, sand, spent limestone or marble dust, metal, glass, straw, shavings, grass clippings, rags, spent grains, spent hops, wastepaper, wood, plastic, tar, asphalt residues, residues from refining or processing of fuel or lubricating oil, and similar substances.

(6)

Excessive discharge rate. Stormwater discharged at a flow rate, which is excessive relative to the capacity of the approved stormwater discharge rate for a site.

(7)

Heavy metals and toxic substances materials. No heavy metals or toxic materials shall be discharged into storm sewers.

(8)

Discolored materials. Discharges with objectionable color not native to the stormwater management facility.

(9)

Odorous materials. Discharges with objectionable odor not native to the stormwater management facility.

(10)

Corrosive wastes. Any waste which will cause corrosion or deterioration of the stormwater management facilities. Prohibited materials include, but are not limited to, acids, sulfides, concentrated chloride and fluoride compounds and substances which will react with water to form acidic products.

(11)

Heat. No person shall discharge heated waste of any nature that may interfere with the proper operation of the stormwater management facilities.

(12)

Swimming pool discharges. Swimming pool discharges containing harmful levels of chlorine or other chemicals that exceeds SCDHEC approved standards, filter backwash, algae or harmful bacteria, or any debris/vegetation are prohibited.

(b)

Non-stormwater discharges that are deemed to be exempt include:

(1)

Water line flushing;

(2)

Diverted stream flows;

(3)

Rising ground waters;

(4)

Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration;

(5)

Uncontaminated pumped groundwater;

(6)

Discharges from potable water sources;

(7)

Foundation drains;

(8)

Air conditioning condensate;

(9)

Irrigation water;

(10)

Springs;

(11)

Water from crawl space pumps;

(12)

Individual residential car washing;

(13)

Natural flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;

(14)

Swimming pool discharges containing no harmful levels of chlorine or other chemicals that exceed SCDHEC approved standards and discharges must be under controlled release as to not cause erosion;

(15)

Street wash water;

(16)

Discharges or flows from fire fighting and emergency management activities; and

(17)

Approved occasional incidental non-stormwater discharges, including, but not limited to, charity vehicle and watercraft wash events.

a.

Attempt to prevent wash water from entering local closed drainage system if the charity wash event occurs on a paved surface;

b.

Suggest use of biodegradable, phosphate-free environmentally friendly detergents for washing; and

c.

Use hoses with nozzles that automatically turn off when left unattended.

(Ord. No. 2007-51, 8-14-07)