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North Ridgeville adopts illicit-discharge ordinance to meet Ohio EPA MS4 requirements
Summary
Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-101 to add an illicit-discharge and illegal-connection control chapter to the city code after Ohio EPA identified deficiencies in the city's MS4 permit compliance.
North Ridgeville City Council on July 7 unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-101, creating a new chapter in the city code to control illicit discharges and illegal connections to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).
The ordinance implements language requested by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency as part of the city's MS4 permit update, giving the city authority to conduct inspections, implement monitoring procedures and take enforcement action to prevent pollutants from entering storm sewers. Mayor stated the requirement dates back to an EPA directive that was originally expected around February 2007 and emphasized that the ordinance is necessary to meet federal and state permit requirements.
City Engineer reported the Ohio EPA audit found deficiencies in local regulations addressing illicit discharges and noted additional code revisions will follow. Council moved to dispense with second and third readings and adopted the ordinance in a roll-call vote.
The ordinance specifies methods for identifying and responding to non-stormwater discharges and creates enforcement authority; the measure does not include an emergency clause. Council members did not record objections during the roll call and the ordinance was declared adopted.
Council and staff said further code changes will be forthcoming to address other required MS4 actions identified by the Ohio EPA.
