Subtitle 8 – Bypass of Treatment Facilities
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 25, § 8-1 (2026)
§ 8-1 Scope of subtitle.LinkCopy Citation
An industrial user may allow any bypass to occur which does not cause pretreatment standards or requirements to be violated, but only if it also is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation. These bypasses are not subject to the provisions of this subtitle.
History: Ord. 91-775
Balt., Md., Code art. 25, § 8-2 (2026)
§ 8-2 Bypass prohibited.LinkCopy Citation
(a)“Severe property damage” defined.
(1)
“Severe property damage” means:
(i)
substantial physical damage to property;
(ii)
damage to treatment facilities which causes them to become inoperable; or
(iii)
substantial and permanent loss of natural resources which can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass.
(2)
“Severe property damage” does not include economic loss caused by delays in production.
(b)Bypasses prohibited.
Bypasses are prohibited.
(c)Exceptions.
(1)
The Director may take enforcement action against an industrial user for a bypass unless:
(i)
the bypass was unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage;
(ii)
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; and
(iii)
the industrial user submitted notices as required under this subtitle.
(2)
The condition in paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection is not satisfied if adequate back-up equipment should have been installed in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgement to prevent a bypass which occurred during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventative maintenance.
(3)
The Director may approve an anticipated bypass after considering its adverse effects, if the Director determines that it will meet the 3 conditions listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
History: Ord. 91-775
Balt., Md., Code art. 25, § 8-3 (2026)
§ 8-3 Notice of anticipated bypass.LinkCopy Citation
If an industrial user knows in advance of the need for a bypass, it shall submit prior notice to the Director, if possible at least 10 days before the date of the bypass.
History: Ord. 91-775
Balt., Md., Code art. 25, § 8-4 (2026)
§ 8-4 Notice of unanticipated bypass.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Immediate oral notice.
An industrial user shall submit oral notice of an unanticipated bypass that exceeds applicable pretreatment standards to the Director within 24 hours from the time the industrial user becomes aware of the bypass.
(b)Written report.
(1)
A written submission shall also be provided within 5 days of the time the industrial user becomes aware of the bypass.
(2)
The written submission shall contain:
(i)
a description of the bypass and its cause;
(ii)
the duration of the bypass, including exact dates and times, and if the bypass has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and
(iii)
steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the bypass.
(3)
The Director may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis if the oral report has been received within 24 hours.
History: Ord. 91-775