§ 36-81. Illicit connections, illicit discharges and improper disposal.

(a)

It is unlawful for any person to connect any pipe, open channel, or any other conveyance system that discharges anything except stormwater or unpolluted water, which is approved by the director, into receiving waters or the county system.

(b)

It is unlawful for any person to continue the operation of any such illicit connection regardless of whether the connection was permissible when constructed. Improper connections in violation of this chapter will be disconnected and redirected, if necessary, to the satisfaction of the director and any other federal, state or local agencies or directors regulating the discharge.

(c)

It is unlawful for any person to throw, drain, run or otherwise discharge to any component of the county's stormwater system or to the waters of the state or to cause, permit or allow to suffer to be thrown, drained, run, or allow to seep or otherwise discharge into such system or receiving water all matter of any nature excepting only such stormwater or surface water as herein authorized.

(d)

The director may require controls for, or exempt from, the prohibition provision in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section for the following, provided it is determined that they are not a significant source of pollution, but the permissibility of the following depends on their discharge into a vegetated area where practicable rather than onto an impervious surface or directly into a receiving water body:

(1)

Unpolluted industrial cooling water, but only under the authorization and direction of the director and appropriate NPDES permit.

(2)

Water line flushing performed or required by a government agency, diverted stream flows, rising groundwaters, and unpolluted pumped groundwaters, and unpolluted groundwater infiltration.

(3)

Unpolluted pumped groundwater.

(4)

Discharges from potable water sources, foundation drains, air conditioning condensation, irrigation water, springs, water from crawl space pumps, footing drains, lawn watering, individual car washing, residential pool backwashing, de-chlorinated pool water, flows from riparian habitats and wetlands, and street wash water.

(5)

Discharges or flows from firefighting.

(6)

Other unpolluted water.

(7)

Any of the permitted discharges are only to be made if suitable protection is provided by use of silt screens, or hay bales or such other approved methods to prevent the erosion or conveyance of silts or contaminants into the MS4.

(8)

In the event of an accidental discharge or an unavoidable loss to the county stormwater system of any pollutant, the person concerned will abide by requirements as regulated by the SCDHEC, informs the public works director as soon as possible, but not to exceed 12 hours from the time of discovery, of the nature, quantity and time of occurrence of the discharge. The person concerned must take immediate steps to contain the waste, treat the waste or other actions to minimize affects of the discharge on the stormwater system and receiving waters. The person will also take immediate steps to ensure no recurrence of the discharge.

(Ord. No. 07-21, § 4.1, 8-20-2007)