Committee forwards Huntington sewer-use ordinance update to council

The Sanitary Solid Waste Management and Recycling Committee voted March 10 to forward an update to the city’s Sewer Use Ordinance to city council to align local rules with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) pretreatment requirements and to incorporate a rate increase passed in 2024.

Paige Turner, executive director of the Huntington Water Quality Board, told the committee the ordinance update is primarily procedural but required for an upcoming DEP inspection. “Before you is an ordinance, that is a requirement for DEP when the city and city council updates ordinance that are that are part of the sewer use ordinance we're required under DEP in our pretreatment, facility during inspections to have our sewer use ordinance aligned with what actions council has taken in the over the past year,” Turner said.

Turner said the update bundles clerical corrections and the 2024 rate change into the Sewer Use Ordinance so staff need not return each year for the same procedural change. “Part of this is we would normally come and update this when rate increases go into effect over year over year. ... they said, yes. It's already been passed, so you can go ahead and update it that way. Instead of going procedurally back to you every year for the very same thing,” she said.

Committee member Mr. Arthur moved to forward the ordinance to council; Miss Holly seconded. The committee voted by voice; members signified approval and no opposition was recorded in the transcript. After the vote, Turner said, “I'll sponsor this 1.”

Committee members noted the packet was large; Turner said the ordinance includes detailed material related to wastewater treatment plant operations, permitting and industrial dischargers, and that the details are necessary for the authority staff need to carry out inspections and enforcement.

Because this was the only agenda item, the committee adjourned after the vote.