Middletown, OH Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Core prohibition
- No discharge but storm water into MS4
- Illicit connections
- Banned regardless of when made
- Pool discharge rule
- 48 hrs after chlorinating, pH 6.5-8.5
- Appeal window
- 10 working days to appeal notice
- Criminal penalty
- $500 per day, up to 5 days jail
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Engineering and Environmental Services
Summary
Middletown's storm sewer ordinance bans discharging anything but storm water into the City's MS4 storm drain system or any watercourse, including illicit sanitary connections. A narrow list of exempt flows covers things like water-line flushing, lawn irrigation, foundation drains and properly treated swimming-pool backwash. The Department of Engineering and Environmental Services enforces the rule, monitors discharges, and can pursue notices of violation, civil abatement, injunctions and criminal prosecution.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the MS4 or into a watercourse any pollutants or waters containing any pollutants other than storm water. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the MS4 is prohibited as follows: (a) The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections to the MS4 is prohibited. ... (b) The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established by this chapter: water line flushing or other potable water sources, landscape irrigation or lawn watering, diverted stream flows, rising groundwater, groundwater infiltration to storm drains, uncontaminated pumped groundwater, foundation or footing drains (not including active groundwater dewatering systems), crawl space pumps, air conditioning condensation, springs, non-commercial washing of vehicles, natural riparian habitat or wetland flows, swimming pools, fire fighting activities, and any other water source not containing pollutants.
Full Breakdown
22. 23 prohibits discharging or causing to be discharged into the MS4 or any watercourse any pollutant or water containing a pollutant other than storm water, and separately bans illicit connections to the MS4, including sanitary-sewer lines, regardless of when the connection was made. A defined list of non-storm-water discharges is exempt: water-line flushing, landscape irrigation, diverted stream flows, rising or infiltrating groundwater, foundation and footing drains, air-conditioning condensation, non-commercial vehicle washing and firefighting water, among others. 5. Discharges tied to failing on-lot home sewage treatment systems are never permitted.
25. 26 runs through a written notice of violation, a right to appeal within ten working days with a hearing set within 15 working days, City abatement of uncorrected violations with costs assessed against the property, and criminal prosecution for continuing violations.
Violations & Fines
A violation is enforceable civilly and criminally. The City can issue a notice of violation requiring cleanup, monitoring or cessation of the discharge; the recipient may appeal within ten working days, with a hearing within 15 working days. Uncorrected violations can be abated by the City at the owner's expense, assessed as a lien payable in up to 12 installments, and criminal prosecution carries a penalty of $500 per violation per day plus up to five days in jail, per section 1050.26.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I discharge my pool water into the street or storm drain in Middletown?
What counts as an illegal discharge under Middletown's storm water code?
What happens if the City finds a storm water violation?
What is the penalty for violating Middletown's storm water ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Middletown
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