Fees to be charges for required stormwater commercial inspections

The City wants to recover some of the fees involved in the enforcement of a state mandated stormwater program which requires them to ensure commercial businesses are not discharging waste or pollutants into the storm drain system.

Keeping grease, oil and other contaminants out of the system is the goal of the program. Jason Burke, the City's Stormwater Program Coordinator, told the City Council on Tuesday that he will provide outreach and education to the high profile businesses that use grease and oil on a daily basis.

Restaurants, all auto repair businesses and industrial companies will all have to pay fees in order to get the required inspection which will start 90 days after the Council approves on the amended ordinance which is expected March 3.

Commercial businesses will be required to pay $107 for the estimated two hour inspection. If a violation is found, a followup inspection to ensure the problem has been taken care of will cost $54. Industrial businesses will be charged $134 with the same follow up charge.

As mentioned in SouthTahoeNow after the last City Council meeting, the City operates under a stormwater permit issued by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board they must abide by their requirements which "include conducting commercial, industrial and municipal inspections in order to ensure commercial facilities are not discharging waste or pollutants into the City storm drain system."