§ 15-111. Short title; findings, purpose, and intent.

The regulations established in this article shall be known and may be cited as the "Orange County Water Quality Management Ordinance." In adopting these regulations, the board of county commissioners hereby makes and expresses the following findings, purpose, and intent:

(a)

The board of county commissioners, in order to protect the waters of Orange County, declares that the presence of pollutant concentrations in excess of standards or criteria hereinafter provided is harmful to the waters of the county.

(b)

The discharge of pollutants from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) has a significant impact on waters of the county. Improperly treated discharges from construction activities, industrial activities, and interconnected MS4s, as well as illicit discharges from spilling, dumping or disposal of material other than stormwater to MS4s, adversely affects the quality of waters receiving such discharges.

(c)

As a co-permittee of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued under the federal Clean Water Act, Orange County is responsible for inspection of private and public construction projects, commercial and industrial facilities, and stormwater ponds to address best management practices implementation and potential discharges to the county's MS4.

(d)

Orange County monitors and controls discharges into its MS4 in order to control the quality of discharges from the system into waters of the county.

(e)

Orange County's watersheds contain valued and productive natural features that add significantly to the quality of life of the residents and visitors of the county even as the increase in impervious surfaces caused by urbanization impairs the natural function of these waterways.

(f)

Some of Orange County's watersheds continue to show signs of declining water quality as more water bodies are considered for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) impairment designation pursuant to environmental laws and regulations. Stormwater runoff laden with nutrients and other pollutants can cause imbalances and accelerated eutrophication in waters of the county.

(g)

The board of county commissioners recognizes the significance of the county's watersheds as they relate to state and federal mandates for pollutant removal and abatement, such as the NPDES and TMDL programs.

(h)

It is in the public interest to protect surface and ground water resources to preserve and enhance ecological habitats, flora and fauna, as well as to safeguard the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of, and visitors to, Orange County.

(i)

Because of technological changes concerning water pollution control and abatement, and changes in federal and state law, the board of county commissioners desires to adopt new water quality rules so that the county's water pollution control and abatement program shall be consistent with federal and state law and other county regulations.

(Ord. No. 2013-09 , § 4, 4-9-13)