§ 24-273. Judicial remedies.

(a)

Injunctive relief. When the director finds that a user has violated, or continues to violate, any provision of this article, an individual wastewater discharge permit, or order issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment standard or requirement, the director may petition the 1st Circuit Court in and for Okaloosa County, Florida through the county's attorney for the issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction, as appropriate, which restrains or compels the specific performance of the individual wastewater discharge permit, order, or other requirement imposed by this article on activities of the user. The director may also seek such other action as is appropriate for legal and/or equitable relief, including a requirement for the user to conduct environmental remediation. A petition for injunctive relief shall not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, taking any other action against a user.

(b)

Civil penalties.

(1)

A user who has violated, or continues to violate, any provision of this article, an individual wastewater discharge permit, or order issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment standard or requirement shall be liable to the county for a maximum civil penalty of the maximum allowed under state law but not less than the amount listed in Appendix A, per day. In the case of a monthly or other long-term average discharge limit, penalties shall accrue for each day during the period of the violation.

(2)

The county may recover reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, and other expenses associated with enforcement activities, including sampling and monitoring expenses, and the cost of any actual damages incurred by the county.

(3)

In determining the amount of civil liability, the court shall take into account all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the extent of harm caused by the violation, the magnitude and duration of the violation, any economic benefit gained through the user's violation, corrective actions by the user, the compliance history of the user, and any other factor as justice requires.

(4)

Filing a suit for civil penalties shall not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, taking any other action against a user.

(c)

Criminal prosecution.

(1)

A user who willfully or negligently violates any provision of this article, an individual wastewater discharge permit, or order issued hereunder, or any other pretreatment standard or requirement shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine or imprisonment as provided by law.

(2)

A user who willfully or negligently introduces any substance into the POTW which causes personal injury or property damage shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to a penalty or imprisonment as provided by law. This penalty shall be in addition to any other cause of action for personal injury or property damage available under state law.

(3)

A user who knowingly makes any false statements, representations, or certifications in any application, record, report, plan, or other documentation filed, or required to be maintained, pursuant to this article, individual wastewater discharge permit, or order issued hereunder, or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required under this article shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than the maximum fine allowable under state law per violation, per day, or imprisonment as provided by law.

(d)

Remedies non-exclusive. The remedies provided for in this article are not exclusive. The county may take any, all, or any combination of these actions against a non-compliant user. Enforcement of pretreatment violations will generally be in accordance with the county's enforcement response plan. However, the county may take other action against any user when the circumstances warrant. Further, the county is empowered to take more than one enforcement action against any non-compliant user.

( Ord. No. 16-16 , § 1, 9-6-16)