Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stormwater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Salem council introduces 'Illicit Connections' stormwater ordinance and refers it to planning board
Summary
Council introduced Ordinance 24-20 to add Article XXXIII prohibiting illicit connections to the municipal storm sewer system and referred it to the planning board for review; the ordinance defines illicit connections, prohibits certain discharges, sets enforcement by code officers, and establishes fines of $100–$1,500 per violation.
The Salem City Common Council on July 15 introduced Ordinance 24-20, a change to Chapter 130 (Stormwater Management) creating Article XXXIII, "Illicit Connections," and referred the ordinance to the City Planning Board for review and recommendation.
Under the introduced language recorded in the minutes, an "illicit connection" includes any physical or non-physical discharge to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) that conveys domestic sewage, process wastewater, non-contact cooling water or other industrial waste that is not stormwater or otherwise authorized under NJPDES permits. The ordinance requires landowners and developers to refrain from making such connections and authorizes City code-enforcement officials to inspect properties for compliance.
Penalties written into the ordinance provide for fines ranging from $100 to $1,500 for each violation. The resolution formally referring the ordinance to the Planning Board (Res. 2024-204) instructs the board to submit its recommendation within 35 days.
Why it matters: the ordinance is intended to align the city's code with revised state stormwater regulations and the municipal MS4 Tier A permit requirements. By defining illicit connections and creating inspection and penalty authority, the city is positioning to reduce unauthorized discharges that can harm water quality.
What comes next: Res. 2024-204 refers the ordinance text to the City of Salem Planning Board for review and recommendation; a Planning Board report was requested by resolution to be returned to Council within 35 days of referral.
Supporting text: The ordinance language in the minutes references state regulatory frameworks and defines terms such as "municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4)," "process wastewater," and "NJPDES permit," and sets enforcement procedures for Code Enforcement Officers.
