The purpose of this article is to insure the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Columbia by enhancing the water quality of water courses and water bodies to the maximum extent practicable as required by federal and state laws. This article establishes methods for controlling the introduction of pollutants into the municipal separate storm sewer system in order to comply with the requirements of the National Pollutant and Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit process. The objectives of this article are:

    (1)    To regulate the contribution of pollutants by storm water discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system or to any water course;

    (2)    To prohibit illicit connections and discharges; and

    (3)    To establish legal authority for inspections, surveillance and monitoring procedures necessary to insure compliance with this article.

(Ord. No. 18297, § 1, 11-1-04)