14.20.110 Exemptions to discharge prohibition.
The following discharges are exempt from the prohibition set forth in CVMC 14.20.100; provided, that they do not: (1) cause or significantly contribute to violations of the water quality standards set forth in any plan water quality objective, (2) convey significant quantities of pollutants to receiving waters, or (3) cause a danger to public health and safety:
A. Any discharge or connection to the storm water conveyance system that is regulated under an NPDES permit issued to the discharger and administered by the state of California pursuant to Chapter 5.5, Division 7 of the California Water Code is allowed; provided, that the discharger is in compliance with all requirements of the NPDES permit and other applicable laws and regulations.
B. Non-storm water discharges to the storm water conveyance system from the following categories are allowed if the discharger obtains coverage under NPDES Permit No. CAG919001, NPDES Permit No. CAG919002 or any successor permits for discharges of groundwater. Otherwise, they will be considered illegal discharges:
1. Discharges from uncontaminated pumped groundwater;
2. Discharges from foundation drains when the system is designed to be located at or below the groundwater table to actively or passively extract groundwater during any part of the year;
3. Discharges from crawl space pumps; and
4. Discharges from footing drains when the system is designed to be located at or below the groundwater table to actively or passively extract groundwater during any part of the year.
C. Non-storm water discharges to the storm water conveyance system from water line flushing and water main breaks are allowed if the dischargers have coverage under NPDES Permit No. CAG679001 or any successor permits, and the discharger is in compliance with all requirements of that NPDES permit and other applicable laws and regulations. Discharges to the storm water conveyance system from recycled or reclaimed water lines are allowed if the discharger has coverage under an NPDES permit, and the discharger is in compliance with all requirements of that NPDES permit and other applicable laws and regulations. Otherwise, discharges from water lines are illegal discharges.
D. Non-storm water discharges to the storm water conveyance system from the following categories are allowed, unless the City identifies the discharge as a source of pollutants to receiving waters, in which case the discharge is considered an illegal discharge:
1. Discharges from diverted stream flows;
2. Discharges from rising groundwater;
3. Discharges from uncontaminated groundwater infiltration to the storm water conveyance system;
4. Discharges from springs;
5. Discharges from riparian habitats and wetlands;
6. Discharges from potable water sources, except that irrigation runoff discharges are considered illegal discharges and are prohibited;
7. Discharges from foundation drains when the system is designed to be located above the groundwater table at all times of the year, and the system is only expected to discharge non-storm water under unusual circumstances; and
8. Discharges from footing drains when the system is designed to be located above the groundwater table at all times of the year, and the system is only expected to discharge non-storm water under unusual circumstances.
E. Non-storm water discharges to the storm water conveyance system from the following categories are allowed if they are addressed with BMPs as set forth in the Jurisdictional Runoff Management Program:
1. Air conditioning condensation;
2. Individual residential vehicle washing, except that noncommercial car washes, such as fundraisers and other similar activities, are prohibited; and
3. Water from swimming pools.
Otherwise, said discharges are illegal discharges.
F. Non-storm water discharges from firefighting activities are allowed if they are addressed as follows:
1. Nonemergency firefighting discharges, including building fire suppression system maintenance discharges such as sprinkler line flushing, controlled or practice blazes, training, and other maintenance activities, shall be addressed by BMPs as set forth in the Jurisdictional Runoff Management Program to prevent the discharge of pollutants to the storm water conveyance system.
2. BMPs are encouraged to prevent pollutants from entering the storm water conveyance system during emergency firefighting discharges. During emergencies, priority of efforts should be directed toward life, property, and the environment (in descending order). BMPs shall not interfere with emergency response operations or impact public health and safety.
G. Any discharge which the enforcement agency, the County Health Officer, the Regional Water Quality Control Board and/or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determines in writing is necessary for the protection of the public health and safety. (Ord. 3348 § 1, 2015; Ord. 3245, 2012; Ord. 3103 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2854 § 6, 2002; Ord. 2597 § 11, 1994).