A.
For the purposes of this section, "upset" means exceptional
incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance
with categorical pretreatment standards because of factors beyond
the reasonable control of the user. An upset does not include noncompliance
to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment
facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance
or careless or improper operation.
B.
An upset shall constitute an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance with categorical pretreatment standards if the requirements of Subsection C below are met.
C.
A user who wishes to establish the affirmative defense
of upset shall demonstrate, through properly signed, contemporaneous
operating logs, or other relevant evidence that:
(1)
An upset occurred and the user can identify the cause(s)
of the upset;
(2)
The facility was at the time being operated in a prudent
and workmanlike manner and in compliance with applicable operation
and maintenance procedures; and
(3)
The user has submitted the following information to
the Borough within 24 hours of becoming aware of the upset (if this
information is provided orally, a written submission must be provided
within five days):
(a)
A description of the indirect discharge and
cause of noncompliance;
(b)
The period of noncompliance, including exact
dates and times or, if not corrected, the anticipated time the noncompliance
is expected to continue; and
(c)
Steps being taken and/or planned to reduce,
eliminate, and prevent recurrence of the noncompliance.
D.
In any enforcement proceeding, the user seeking to
establish the occurrence of an upset shall have the burden of proof.
E.
Users will have the opportunity for a judicial determination
on any claim of upset only in an enforcement action brought for noncompliance
with categorical pretreatment standards.
F.
Users shall control production of all discharges to
the extent necessary to maintain compliance with categorical pretreatment
standards upon reduction, loss, or failure of its treatment facility
until the facility is restored or an alternative method of treatment
is provided. This requirement applies in the situation where, among
other things, the primary source of power of the treatment facility
is reduced, lost or fails.
A user shall have an affirmative defense to an enforcement action brought against it for noncompliance with the general prohibitions in § 52-35A of this Part 3 or the specific prohibitions in § 52-35B of this Part 3 if it can prove that it did not know, or have reason to know, that its discharge, alone or in conjunction with discharge from other sources, would cause pass-through or interference and that either:
A.
A local limit exists for each pollutant discharged
and the user was in compliance with each limit directly prior to,
and during, the pass-through or interference; or
B.
No local limit exists, but the discharge did not change
substantially in nature or constituents from the user's prior discharge,
when Lake City Borough was regularly in compliance with its NPDES
permit, and in the case of interference, was in compliance with applicable
sludge use or disposal requirements.
A.
BYPASS
SEVERE PROPERTY DAMAGE
For the purposes of this section, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The intentional diversion of wastestreams from any portion
of a user's treatment facility.
Substantial damage to property, damage to the treatment facility
which causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent
loss of natural resources which can reasonably be expected to occur
in the absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic
loss caused by delays in production.
C.
Notification of Borough.
(1)
If a user knows in advance of the need for a bypass,
it shall submit prior notice to the Borough, at least 10 days before
the date of the bypass, if possible.
(2)
A user shall submit oral notice to the Borough of
an unanticipated bypass that exceeds applicable pretreatment standards
within 24 hours from the time it become aware of the bypass. A written
submission shall also be provided within five days of the time the
user becomes aware of the bypass. The written submission shall contain
a description of the bypass and its cause; the duration of the bypass,
including exact dates and time, and, if the bypass has not been corrected,
the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or
planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the bypass.
The Borough may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis if
the oral report has been received within 24 hours.
D.
Exceptions.
(1)
Bypass is prohibited, and the Borough may take an
enforcement action against a user for bypass, unless:
(a)
Bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life,
personal injury, or severe property damage;
(b)
There were no feasible alternatives to the bypass,
such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated
wastes, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime.
This condition is not satisfied if adequate backup equipment should
have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment
to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment
downtime or preventive maintenance; and