Local EnforcementHow stormwater rules are

applied and enforced locally

State-Issued Permits Require an Ordinance

From Charlotte’s Phase I Permit:“The specific requirements of section 402(p)(3)(B) of the Clean Water Act require that the City, to the extent allowable under State or local law, effectively prohibit non-stormwater discharges to the City's MS4 and that controls and management measures are implemented by the City to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the municipal storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable.”

“Establish and maintain adequate ordinances or other legal authorities to prohibit illicit discharges and enforce the approved IDDE Program.”

Local Municipalities with a Stormwater Pollution Control

Ordinance

Charlotte Mecklenburg Co. – unincorporated area of Mecklenburg Co. and corporate limits of Cornelius, Huntersville, Pineville and Mint Hill

Town of Davidson Town of Matthews

Example Ordinance Language

From Mecklenburg’s Ordinance:

Section 4. Prohibited Discharges to the Storm Drain System. (a) Illicit discharges prohibited. No person shall cause any non-storm water flow to enter the storm drain system unless listed in Section 4(d).

Typical Exemptions• water line flushing;• landscape irrigation;• diverted stream flows;• rising groundwaters;• uncontaminated groundwater infiltration;• uncontaminated pumped groundwater;• discharges from potable water sources;• foundation drains;• air conditioning condensate (commercial/residential);• irrigation waters • springs;• water from crawl space pumps;• footing drains;• lawn watering;• residential and charity car washing;• flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;• dechlorinated swimming pool discharges;• street wash water;• flows from emergency fire fighting

Process for How We Address Violations

Step 1: Violation Observed or Reported

Many discharges are reported by citizens or other local government employees through central hotline (311) or our website

Some are observed by Environmental Specialists while doing field work

*NOTE: We do not “patrol” the streets looking for violators. We do not have the time and resources available to do so.

Step 2: Investigate Alleged Violation

Investigation includes:o Speak to person alleged to be in violationo Observe discharge area, storm drain system, surface

waterso Take pictures, videoo Obtain additional info (violator’s name, address,

etc.)o Explain findings to person alleged to be in violation

(educate)o Document all findings in writing

Environmental Specialists from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services investigate the alleged violation.

Step 3: If Violation Confirmed…

Issue verbal Notice of Violation (NOV)

1st offense (non-willful)Issue written NOV

2nd or continuing offenseIssue written NOV

Issue penalty

Apply other enforcement remedy

Violation is confirmed through physical evidence (observe discharge in person, observe stains/wet pavement, pictures/video, samples, etc.). Violation is not typically confirmed solely through a citizen’s report – need accompanying evidence.

Violator must clean up impacted area and submit written response describing corrective

actions

1st offense (willful)Issue written NOV

What does a Notice of Violation say?

• Location and nature of violation• General description of enforcement remedies and penalties

that may apply• Specific actions needed to correct the violation and restore

impacted area• Deadline to complete corrective actions• How to provide additional information to the regulatory

agency• Contact name and information• Requires written response explaining corrective actions

Monetary PenaltiesMaximum Penalties• Charlotte - $5000 per day per violation• Mecklenburg Co. - $10,000 per day per violation• Davidson - $5000 per day per violation• Matthews - incremental depending on history (maximum $1000

for 1st; $2000 for 2nd; $3,000 for 3rd; etc.)

All penalties collected go to the public school system, not Storm Water Services

Large penalties are reserved for bad violations – really large volumes, hazardous chemicals, long history of violations, uncooperative, etc.

All “mitigating and aggravating factors” are considered: (1) degree & extent of harm, (2) whether committed willfully, (3) whether reasonable measures were taken to comply, (4) voluntary measures to clean up and report, (5) prior record, (6) etc.

Our aim – to make penalty amounts consistent with the severity of violation and to make non-compliance more expensive than compliance

Examples of Other Enforcement Remedies

• Withholding of permit, certificate of occupancy or other approval

• Compliance Agreement• Compliance Order• Cease & Desist Order• Emergency Relief• Injunctive Relief (court order)

Appeals• All Ordinances have an appeal process• The Storm Water Advisory Committee (SWAC) hears the appeals• SWAC is made up of nine citizens who are nominated and then

appointed by the County Commission, City Council and Town Councils

• SWAC bylaws have specific requirements for committee representation

Makeupo 1 member from industry, manufacturing, or commercial sectoro 1 member from environmental organizationo 1 member who is a construction contractoro 1 member from financial, accounting or legal professiono etc.

Appointments by Areao 3 by Charlotte Councilo 3 by County Commissiono 1 by Northern Townso 1 by Southern Townso 1 by other 8 committee members