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Subcommittee seeks clearer hazardous-materials questions on water service application and policy updates
Summary
Members asked staff to strengthen the water service application and water management policy to better identify potential discharges of hazardous or toxic materials to sewer and stormwater systems, and to link the application to the city's pretreatment program and legal disclaimers.
The Prescott City council subcommittee on water issues on March 4 discussed proposed updates to the water service application and the city's water management policy to identify projects that could discharge hazardous materials into the sewer or stormwater systems.
Brian, the presenting water staff member, reviewed the city's pretreatment permitting program and said staff proposed adding checkboxes on the water service application to flag five categories of potential users (food service, vehicle service, industrial manufacturing, medical facilities and dental offices). He said the pretreatment program already tracks and permits discharges and that early notification to pretreatment staff could reduce the chance an industrial discharge slips through the permitting process.
Councilwoman Lois Lewis and other members urged stronger, clearer language on the application. Lewis suggested asking applicants directly: "Will you be discharging any hazardous materials or toxic chemicals into the city sewer system or storm water drainage system? If yes, please list and describe how you plan to filter or mitigate." She also recommended adding an "other" checkbox with space for description for applicants unsure of the technical categories.
Chris Reser, Assistant City Attorney, said legal staff would review proposed wording. Brian said the water service application can be amended administratively, but changes to the substantive water management policy would need City Council approval.
The subcommittee directed staff to draft revised application language (including an "other" option and a plain-language reference to sewer and stormwater systems), tie WSA intake to the pretreatment permit review process, and add a disclaimer that the applicant would be financially responsible for costs associated with removing hazardous discharges if they occur. Members asked staff and legal to bring the revised application and recommended policy language back to the subcommittee for review at the next meeting.
Ending Staff said it will draft revised wording for the water service application and water management policy and return with the language for the subcommittee's review.
