by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Following Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton, the City received complaints about the discharge of swimming pool water and the dewatering of construction sites, including dewatering operations associated with home elevation projects. These activities increased the risk of untreated or sediment-laden water being discharged into the City’s stormwater system and onto private property not associated with a project’s operation.
To address these concerns during the ongoing State of Local Emergency, Mayoral Proclamations have continuously issued temporary restrictions for pool water discharge by prohibiting the dewatering of a pool or spa directly into a waterbody, into the City’s stormwater system, or onto any third party’s property without the third party’s consent.
The Proclamation also requires that the dewatering rate be slow enough to allow all water to percolate down through the owner’s property on which the pool or spa is being dewatered, and recommends the use of sorbent booms or socks to capture debris.
The ordinance presented at the June 2, 2026, Council meeting is intended to replace and permanently codify those temporary emergency measures while also establishing broader protections related to construction dewatering and illicit discharges into both the City’s stormwater and sanitary sewer systems.
The ordinance adds a section to the City Code to expand protections against unlawful discharges of swimming pools or spas previously established by emergency proclamation, including:
• Discharge activities must remain contained on the property whenever possible;
• Appropriate erosion and sediment controls such as filter bags or sediment socks must be utilized;
• Discharge onto neighboring properties requires written consent; and
• Direct discharge into canals, ponds, streams, or other waterbodies is prohibited.
The Code would be amended to include:
• Addition of definitions for “dewatering,” “discharge,” and “illegal connection” to clarify regulated activities.
• Establishment of a general prohibition against non-stormwater discharges into the City’s stormwater system unless specifically exempted or authorized by permit.
The ordinance also amends the Code chapter relating to the City’s sanitary sewer system by creating explicit prohibitions on illicit discharges. Key provisions include:
• Addition of a formal definition of “illicit discharge.”
• Creation of a section prohibiting unauthorized discharges into the sanitary sewer system, including stormwater, groundwater, pool drainage, hazardous substances, and other materials that could damage or interfere with sewer infrastructure or treatment operations.
• Remove temporary language anticipating future regulations and replace it with the newly codified illicit discharge standards.
This is scheduled for a second reading and public hearing at Council’s June 16, 2026, meeting.
Leave a Comment