§ 1277. Municipal sewage treatment plants

If, after public hearing, the Secretary finds that:

(1) any municipality is discharging untreated or improperly treated sewage or stormwater into waters of the State or that conditions exist in any municipality or combination of municipalities that cause or threaten to cause a reduction in the quality of ground or surface waters; and

(2) the discharge or condition can most effectively be corrected or abated by the construction and installation of a sewage collection and treatment system or a stormwater collection and treatment system or by other management practices, and after giving due regard to regional development factors, he or she may order the municipality or combination of municipalities to provide the facilities or undertake the practices necessary to correct or abate the discharge or condition. In the case of correcting or abating a discharge of stormwater runoff not created by a municipality, the Secretary may order the municipality or combination of municipalities to provide the facilities or undertake the practices necessary to correct or abate the discharge or condition if the municipality or combination of municipalities has in place a mechanism to recover the costs from users. The order shall include a reasonable time schedule for action by the municipality or municipalities to place the facilities into operation. This section does not abridge any duty or remedy created by this subchapter. (Added 1969, No. 252 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. April 4, 1970; amended 1981, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 25; 2001, No. 109 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. May 16, 2002.)