Emergency suspension of discharge permits

The director may immediately suspend any permit issued pursuant to this chapter, after informal notice to the permit holder, whenever such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or potential discharge that reasonably appears to present or cause an imminent or substantial endangerment to the public health or welfare. The director may also immediately suspend a discharge permit, after notice and opportunity to respond, whenever such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or potential discharge that reasonably appears to threaten interference with the operation of the POTW, or that presents, or may present, an endangerment to the environment. A. Any user notified of a suspension of its permit shall immediately stop or eliminate its discharge. 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 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 termination proceedings in section 14.21A.295 is initiated against the user. B. A user is responsible, in whole or in part, for any discharge presenting imminent endangerment, and 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 prior to the date of any show cause or termination hearing under sections 14.21A.270 or 14.21A.295 . Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as requiring a hearing prior to any emergency suspension under this section. (Ord. 2760 § 4 (part), 1999)