If the director, on the basis of investigations, inspections and inquiries, determines that any person who does not have a valid permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this article is causing the pollution of any of the waters of the state, or does on occasions cause pollution or is violating any rule or effluent limitation of the board or the director, he or she shall either make and enter an order directing such person to stop such pollution or the violation of the rule or effluent limitation of the board or director, or make and enter an order directing such person to take corrective or remedial action. Such order shall contain findings of fact upon which the director based the determination to make and enter such order. Such order shall also direct such person to apply forthwith for a permit in accordance with the provisions of sections eight, nine and eleven of this article. The director shall fix a time limit for the completion of such action. Whether the director shall make and enter an order to stop such pollution or shall make and enter an order to take remedial action, in either case the person so ordered may elect to cease operations of the establishment deemed to be the source of such discharge or deposits causing pollution, if the pollution referred to in the director's order shall be stopped thereby.
The director shall cause a copy of any such order to be served by registered or certified mail or by a law-enforcement officer upon such person. The director shall also cause a notice to be served with the copy of such order, which notice shall advise such person of the right to appeal to the board by filing a notice of appeal, on the form prescribed by the board for such purpose, with the board, in accordance with the provisions of article one, chapter twenty-two-b of this code.