[HISTORY: Adopted by the 11-7-2011 FYTM, Art. 14. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Pollution — See Ch. 135.
Sewers — See Ch. 150.
A. 
The regulation of illicit connections and discharges to the municipal storm drain system is necessary for the protection of the Town of Brewster's water bodies and groundwater and to safeguard the public health, safety, welfare and the environment.
B. 
The objectives of this bylaw are:
(1) 
To prevent pollutants from entering the Town of Brewster's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4);
(2) 
To prevent illicit connections and unauthorized discharges to the MS4;
(3) 
To require removal of all such illicit connections;
(4) 
To comply with state and federal statutes and regulations relating to stormwater discharges; and
(5) 
To establish the legal authority to ensure compliance with the provisions of this bylaw through inspection, monitoring, and enforcement.
For the purposes of this bylaw, the following terms are defined as follows:
AUTHORIZED ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
The Department of Public Works (hereinafter "DPW"), its employees or agents designated to enforce this bylaw.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP)
An activity, procedure, restraint, or structural improvement that helps to reduce the quantity or improve the quality of stormwater runoff.
CLEAN WATER ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) as hereafter amended.
DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS
The addition from any source of any pollutant or combination of pollutants into the municipal storm drain system or into the waters of the United States or Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
GROUNDWATER
Water beneath the surface of the ground.
ILLICIT CONNECTION
A surface or subsurface drain or conveyance, which allows an illicit discharge into the municipal storm drain system, and these discharges include sewage, process wastewater, or wash water and any connections from indoor drains, sinks, or toilets, regardless of whether said connection was previously allowed, permitted, or approved before the effective date of this bylaw.
ILLICIT DISCHARGE
Direct or indirect discharge to the municipal storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except as exempted in § 115-7D. The term does not include a discharge in compliance with an NPDES stormwater discharge permit or a surface water discharge permit, or a discharge resulting from fire-fighting activities exempted pursuant to § 115-7D of this bylaw.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any material or structure on or above the ground that prevents water infiltrating the underlying soil. Impervious surface includes, without limitation, roads, paved parking lots, sidewalks, and rooftops.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) or MUNICIPAL STORM DRAIN SYSTEM
The system of conveyances designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater, and this system includes any road with a drainage system, street, gutter, curb, inlet, piped storm drain, pumping facility, retention or detention basin, natural or man-made or altered drainage channel, reservoir, and other drainage structure that together comprise the storm drainage system owned or operated by the Town of Brewster.
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) STORMWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT
A permit that is issued by United States Environmental Protection Agency or jointly with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States.
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGE
Discharge to the municipal storm drain system not composed entirely of stormwater.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, association, firm, company, trust, corporation, agency, authority, department or political subdivision of the commonwealth or the federal government, to the extent permitted by law, and any officer, employee, or agent of such person.
POLLUTANT
Any element or property of sewage, agricultural, industrial or commercial waste, runoff, leachate, heated effluent, or other matter, whether originating at a point or nonpoint source, that is or may be introduced into any sewage treatment works or waters of the commonwealth. Pollutants shall include, without limitation:
A. 
Paints, varnishes, and solvents;
B. 
Oil and other automotive fluids;
C. 
Nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes, except dried leaves;
D. 
Refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, ordnances, accumulations and floatables;
E. 
Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers;
F. 
Hazardous materials and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens;
G. 
Dissolved and particulate metals;
H. 
Animal wastes;
I. 
Rock, sand, salt, soils;
J. 
Construction wastes and residues; and
K. 
Noxious or offensive matter of any kind.
PROCESS WASTEWATER
Water which, during manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any material, intermediate product, finished product, or waste product.
RECHARGE
The process by which groundwater is replenished by precipitation through the percolation of runoff and surface water through the soil.
STORMWATER
Stormwater runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface water runoff and drainage.
TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL OR WASTE
Any material which, because of its quantity, concentration, chemical, corrosive, flammable, reactive, toxic, infectious or radioactive characteristics, either separately or in combination with any substance or substances, constitutes a present or potential threat to human health, safety, welfare, or to the environment. Toxic or hazardous materials include any synthetic organic chemical, petroleum product, heavy metal, radioactive or infectious waste, acid and alkali, and any substance defined as toxic or hazardous under MGL c. 21C and c. 21E, and the regulations at 310 CMR 30.000 and 310 CMR 40.0000.
WATERCOURSE
A natural or man-made channel through which water flows or a stream of water, including a river, brook or underground stream.
WASTEWATER
Any sanitary waste, sludge, or septic tank or cesspool overflow, and water that during manufacturing, cleaning or processing comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, by-product or waste product.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
All waters within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and those waters include, without limitation, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, springs, impoundments, estuaries, wetlands, coastal waters, and groundwater.
This bylaw applies to any and all flows entering the municipally owned storm drainage system.
This bylaw is adopted under the authority granted by the Home Rule Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution, the Home Rule statutes, and the regulations of the federal Clean Water Act found at 40 CFR 122.34. Nothing in this bylaw is intended to replace the requirements or authority of any other bylaw, state, federal or superseding authority.
The DPW shall administer, implement and enforce this bylaw. Any powers granted to or duties imposed upon the DPW may be delegated in writing by the DPW to employees or agents of the DPW. The Brewster Board of Health, Natural Resources Director or the Building Commissioner may act as an agent of the DPW.
[Amended 11-13-2017 FYTM, Art. 13]
The DPW, through the Select Board and following a public hearing, may promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this bylaw. Failure by the DPW to promulgate such rules and regulations shall not have the effect of suspending or invalidating this bylaw.
A. 
Illicit Discharge. No person shall dump, discharge, cause or allow to be discharged any pollutant, or nonstormwater discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), into a watercourse, or into the waters of the commonwealth or abutting property.
B. 
Illicit Connection. No person shall construct, use, allow, maintain or continue any illicit connection to the municipal storm drain system, regardless of whether the connection was permissible under applicable law, regulation or custom at the time of connection.
C. 
Obstruction of the Municipal Storm Drain System. No person shall obstruct or interfere with the normal flow of stormwater into or out of the municipal storm drain system without prior written approval from the DPW.
D. 
Exemptions.
(1) 
Discharge or flow resulting from fire-fighting activities;
(2) 
The following nonstormwater discharges or flows are exempt from the prohibition of nonstormwaters provided that the source is not a significant contributor of a pollutant to the municipal storm drain system.
(a) 
Waterline flushing;
(b) 
Flows from potable water sources;
(c) 
Springs;
(d) 
Natural flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;
(e) 
Diverted stream flow;
(f) 
Rising groundwater;
(g) 
Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration as defined in 40 CFR 35.2005(20),[1] or uncontaminated pumped groundwater (e.g., sump pump or crawl space pump), provided that where a pump intake exists inside a structure, the operator seeks a permit from the DPW prior to discharge, and thereafter discharges in accordance with the requirements of the permit and applicable laws and regulations to be issued by the DPW;
[1]
Editor's Note: See 40 CFR 35.2005(b)(20).
(h) 
Water from exterior foundation drains, footing drains (not including active groundwater dewatering systems), or air conditioner condensation;
(i) 
Discharge from landscape irrigation or lawn watering;
(j) 
Water from individual residential vehicle washing, including but not limited to cars, boats and recreational vehicles. It is recommended that washing take place on a pervious surface, such as a lawn or other unpaved area;
(k) 
Discharges from dechlorinated swimming pool water (less than one part per million chlorine), provided that the owner seeks a permit from the DPW prior to discharge, and thereafter discharges in accordance with the requirements of the permit and applicable laws and regulations to be issued by the DPW, and provided the water is allowed to stand for one week prior to draining, or tested for chlorine levels with a pool test kit prior to draining, and the pool is drained in such a way as to not cause a nuisance;
(l) 
Discharge from street sweeping;
(m) 
Dye testing, provided that verbal notification is given to the DPW prior to the time of the test, preferably at least 72 hours prior to the start of the test;
(n) 
Nonstormwater discharge permitted under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, or waste discharge order administered under the authority of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, provided that the discharge is in full compliance with the requirements of the permit, waiver or order and applicable laws and regulations; and
(o) 
Discharges for which advanced written approval is received from the DPW as necessary to protect public health, safety, welfare or the environment.
A. 
The DPW may suspend municipal storm drain system access to any person or property without prior written notice when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge of pollutants that presents or may present imminent risk of harm to the public health, safety, welfare or the environment. In the event any person fails to comply with an emergency suspension order, the DPW may take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimize harm to the public health, safety, and welfare of the environment.
B. 
Any user that denies the authorized enforcement agency reasonable access to the user's premises for the purpose of inspection, monitoring, records examination, or sampling of nonstormwater or stormwater discharges is subject to discharge termination.
C. 
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 authorized enforcement agency may take such steps, as deemed necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer or storm drain connection, to prevent or minimize damage to the municipal storm drain system or its receiving stream, or endangerment to any individuals. The authorized enforcement agency may allow the user to recommence its discharge when the user has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the authorized enforcement agency that the period of endangerment has passed.
Notwithstanding other requirements of local, state or federal law, as soon as any person responsible for a facility or operation, or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation, has information of any known or suspected release of materials at that facility or operation which is resulting or may result in discharge of pollutants to the municipal drainage system or waters of the commonwealth, that person shall take all necessary steps to ensure containment and cleanup of the release. In the event of a release of oil or hazardous materials, the person shall immediately notify the Brewster Fire and Police Departments, DPW and Board of Health. In the event of a release of nonhazardous material, the reporting person shall notify the DPW no later than the next business day. Written confirmation of all telephone, facsimile or in-person notifications shall be provided to the DPW within three business days thereafter. If the discharge of prohibited materials is from a commercial or industrial facility, the facility owner or operator of the facility shall retain on site a written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three years.
A. 
The DPW or an authorized agent of the DPW shall enforce this bylaw, regulations, orders, violation notices, and enforcement orders and may pursue all civil and criminal remedies for such violations.
B. 
Civil relief. If a person violates the provisions of this bylaw or of the regulations, permits, notices, or orders issued thereunder, the DPW may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain the person from activities which would create further violations or to compel the person to perform abatement or remediation of the violation.
C. 
Orders. The DPW or an authorized agent of the DPW may issue a written order to enforce the provisions of this bylaw or the regulations thereunder, and these orders may require:
(1) 
Elimination of illicit connections or discharges to the MS4;
(2) 
Performance of monitoring, analyses, and reporting; and
(3) 
Remediation of contamination in connection therewith.
D. 
If the enforcing person determines that abatement or remediation of contamination is required, the order shall set forth a deadline by which such abatement or remediation must be completed. Said order shall further advise that, should the violator or property owner fail to abate or perform remediation within the specified deadline, the Town may, at its option, undertake such work, and the expenses thereof shall be charged to the violator.
E. 
Within 30 days after completing all measures necessary to abate the violation or to perform remediation, the violator and the property owner will be notified of the costs incurred by the Town, including administrative costs. The violator or property owner may file a written objection to the amount or basis of costs with the DPW within 30 days of receipt of the notification of the costs incurred. If the amount due is not received by the expiration of the time in which to file a protest or within 30 days following a decision of the DPW affirming or reducing the costs, or from a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, the costs shall become a special assessment against the property owner and shall constitute a lien on the owner's property for the amount of said costs. Interest shall begin to accrue on any unpaid costs at the statutory rate provided in MGL c. 59, § 57, after the 31st day at which the costs first become due.
F. 
Criminal penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this bylaw, regulation, order or permit issued thereunder shall be punished by a fine of $100. Each day or part thereof that such violation occurs or continues shall constitute a separate offense.
G. 
Noncriminal disposition. As an alternative to criminal prosecution or civil action, the Town may elect to utilize the noncriminal disposition provision set forth in MGL c 40, § 21D for any violation of this bylaw or of any regulations, permit, notice, or order issued under it. The enforcing person shall be any member of the Department of Public Works, or the Police Department.
H. 
Entry to perform duties under this bylaw. To the extent permitted by state law, or if authorized by the owner or other party in control of the property, the DPW, its agents, officers, and employees may enter upon privately owned property for the purpose of performing their duties under this bylaw and regulations and may make or cause to be made such examinations, surveys or sampling as the DPW deems reasonably necessary.
I. 
Appeals. The decisions or orders of the DPW shall be final. Further relief shall be to a court of competent jurisdiction.
J. 
Remedies not exclusive. The remedies listed in this bylaw are not exclusive of any other remedies available under any applicable federal, state or local law.
The provisions of this bylaw are hereby declared to be severable. If any provision, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this bylaw or the application thereof to any person, establishment, or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application of this bylaw.
Residential property owners shall have 120 days from the effective date of the bylaw to comply with its provisions, provided that good cause is shown for the failure to comply with the bylaw during that period.