Article II of this bylaw shall apply to all water generated on any developed or undeveloped lands and entering the municipally owned storm drainage system or entering, directly or indirectly, into a watercourse or waters of the Commonwealth, except as explicitly exempted in this bylaw or where the Stormwater Authority has issued a waiver in accordance with Article I, § 193-5.
A. 
Illicit discharges. No person shall dump, discharge, spill, cause or allow to be discharged any pollutant or nonstormwater discharge into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), onto an impervious surface directly connected to the MS4, or, directly or indirectly, into a watercourse or waters of the Commonwealth.
B. 
Illicit connections. 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 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 consent from the Stormwater Authority.
D. 
Exemptions.
(1) 
Discharge or flow resulting from fire-fighting activities;
(2) 
The following nonstormwater discharges or flows are exempt from the prohibitions of this section provided that the source is not a significant contributor of a pollutant to the municipal storm drain system or, directly or indirectly, to a watercourse or waters of the Commonwealth:
(a) 
Waterline flushing;
(b) 
Flow from potable water sources, with the exception of landscape irrigation and lawn watering, unless they are determined to be a significant source of pollutants;
(c) 
Springs;
(d) 
Natural flow from riparian habitats and wetlands;
(e) 
Diverted stream flow;
(f) 
Rising groundwater;
(g) 
Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration as defined in 40 CFR 35.2005(20), or uncontaminated pumped groundwater (e.g. sump pump), provided that where a pump intake exists inside a structure, the operator seeks a permit for such discharge from the Stormwater Authority prior to discharge and thereafter discharges in accordance with the requirements of the permit and applicable laws and regulations to be issued by the Stormwater Authority;
(h) 
Water from exterior foundation drains, footing drains (not including active groundwater dewatering systems), crawl space pumps, or air-conditioning condensation;
(i) 
Discharge from street sweeping;
(j) 
Dye testing, provided verbal notification is given to the Stormwater Authority prior to the time of the test;
(k) 
Nonstormwater discharge permitted under a NPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order held by the owner and 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
(l) 
Discharge for which advanced written approval is received from the Stormwater Authority as necessary to protect public health, safety, welfare or the environment.
A. 
Pet waste. Ipswich is subject to a Pathogen TMDL, and because dog feces are a major component of stormwater pollution, it shall be the duty of each person who owns, possesses, or controls a dog to remove and properly dispose of any feces left by the dog on any public or private property neither owned nor occupied by said person. It is prohibited to dispose of dog feces in any public or private storm drain, catch basin, wetland, or water body or on any paved or impervious surface. However, this provision shall not be applicable to a person using a helping dog or other helping animal registered as such. Persons walking dogs must carry with them a device designed to properly dispose of dog feces including, but not limited to, a bag or "pooper scooper." For specific requirements and penalties for violations see § 109-8 of the General Bylaws of the Town of Ipswich.
B. 
Pavement sealers. Coal tar-based driveway and pavement sealers have been identified as a primary source of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons affecting streams in developed areas. Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons are classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen and are highly toxic to aquatic life. Asphalt-based driveway and pavement sealers contain low concentrations of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons. Therefore, application of coal tar-based driveway and pavement sealers is prohibited for all paved areas directly connected to the MS4, a watercourse, or Waters of the Commonwealth.
The Stormwater Authority or its authorized agent 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 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 Stormwater Authority may take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimize harm to the public health, safety, welfare, or the environment.
Notwithstanding other requirements of local, state or federal law, as soon as a person responsible for a facility or operation, or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation, has information of or suspects a release of materials at that facility or operation resulting in or which may result in discharge of pollutants to the municipal drainage system, watercourse, or Waters of the Commonwealth, the 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 municipal fire and police departments. In the event of a release of nonhazardous material, the reporting person shall notify the authorized enforcement agency no later than the next business day. The reporting person shall provide to the Stormwater Authority written confirmation of all telephone, facsimile or in-person notifications 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 address it and prevent its recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three years.
Residential property owners shall have 60 days from the effective date of this bylaw to comply with its provisions provided good cause is shown for the failure to comply with the bylaw during that period.