A. 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 city may take such steps as deemed necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer connection, to prevent or minimize damage to the POTW, it's receiving stream, or endangerment to any individuals. The city may allow the user to recommence its discharge when the user has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the city that the period of endangerment has passed, unless the termination proceedings in Section
13.08.1080 of this ordinance are initiated against the user.
B. 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 city prior to the date of any termination hearing under Section
13.08.1080 of this ordinance.
Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as requiring a hearing prior to any emergency suspension under this section. (Ord. 2006-02 (part), 2006)
13.08.1080 Termination of service.
The city may revoke any industrial discharge permit, or immediately terminate, or cause to be immediately terminated, wastewater service to any premises if a violation of any provision of this chapter causes or threatens to cause a condition of contamination, pollution, or nuisance as defined in this chapter. (Ord. 2006-02 (part), 2006: Prior code § 4313) Article 12. Special Regulations
13.08.1090 Protection from damage.
No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is part of the city sewerage system. (Ord. 2006-02 (part), 2006: Prior code § 4316)
13.08.1100 Confidential information.
All information and data regarding a discharger obtained from reports, questionnaires, permit applications, permits or monitoring programs, and from inspections, shall be available to the public or other governmental agency without restriction unless the discharger specifically requests and is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city that the release of such information would divulge information, processes or methods which would be detrimental to the discharger's competitive position. When requested by the person furnishing a report, the portions of a report which might disclose trade secrets or secret processes shall not be made available for inspection by the public, but shall be made available to governmental agencies for use in making studies and shall be available for use by the state or any state agency in judicial review or enforcement proceedings involving the person furnishing the report.
Wastewater constituents and characteristics shall not
be recognized as confidential information. (Ord. 2006-02 (part), 2006: Prior code § 4317)
13.08.1110 Special agreements.
Special agreements and arrangements between the city and any persons or agencies regarding wastewater treatment and sewerage facilities may be entered into when in the opinion of the city unusual or extraordinary circumstances compel special terms and conditions. However, no special agreements between the city and any user shall be allowed to contravene federal, state or local pretreatment standards. (Ord. 2006-02 (part), 2006: Prior code § 4318) Attachment C – Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
Term / Acronym Definition
ALERT Automated notification or callout indicating a system failure, high level, or potential overflow condition.
BMP (Best Management
Practice)
Procedures or controls implemented to prevent or reduce pollutant discharges to the sanitary sewer or environment.
Cal OES California Office of Emergency Services – agency notified of certain spill events.
CCTV (Closed-Circuit
Television) Video inspection method used to assess condition of sewer pipelines.
CIWQS California Integrated Water Quality System – online reporting system for sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
Collection System Network of gravity sewers, force mains, manholes, and lift stations that collect and convey wastewater to the Water Reclamation Facility.
Enrollee Public agency that owns or operates a sanitary sewer system subject to State Water Board Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ.
FOG Fats, Oils, and Grease – substances that can accumulate in pipes and cause blockages or overflows.
GIS (Geographic
Information System)
Computerized mapping system used to maintain spatial data for sewer infrastructure.
I&I (Inflow and Infiltration) Stormwater or groundwater entering the sanitary sewer system through defects, improper connections, or direct inflow.
LRO (Legally Responsible
Official)
Designated official authorized to certify reports and documents in CIWQS on behalf of the Enrollee.
O&M (Operations and
Maintenance)
Activities necessary to properly operate, inspect, clean, repair, and maintain the collection system.
OERP / SERP Overflow Emergency Response Plan / Spill Emergency Response Plan – procedures for responding to and reporting spills.
Overflow (Sanitary Sewer Any discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater from the Term / Acronym Definition
Overflow or SSO) collection system to the environment.
Preventive Maintenance
(PM)
Scheduled inspections and cleaning designed to prevent blockages and equipment failures.
Regional Water Board California Regional Water Quality Control Board – agency responsible for local enforcement of State Water Board Orders.
SCADA (Supervisory Control
and Data Acquisition)
Automated control system used to monitor and operate lift stations and other wastewater facilities.
SSMP (Sewer System
Management Plan)
The City’s comprehensive program for the management, operation, and maintenance of its sanitary sewer collection system, required under Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ.
SSO (Sanitary Sewer
Overflow)
Discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater to land, water, or storm drains prior to treatment.
State Water Board / SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board – agency that issues statewide wastewater regulations and oversees reporting.
WRF (Water Reclamation
Facility)
City of Visalia facility that receives, treats, and reclaims wastewater for disposal or reuse.