Illegal
Discharges to the Stormwater System
"An
illegal discharge is defined as any disposal into the storm
drain system for which a person or business does not have a
permit."
Federal
and State laws currently prohibit the discharge of certain non-stormwaters
to the storm drain system. The purpose of these regulations
is to protect the quality of the nation's surface water resources
by minimizing contamination associated with urban activities.
Prohibited discharges include industrial process water, sanitary
sewer flows, dumping of liquid waste, and other non-storm flows.
The following information is designed to assist you in recognizing
potential illegal/illicit discharges into the storm drain system,
and provide a method for reporting observations to the appropriate
local authorities.
What Types of Discharges to the Storm
Drain System are Prohibited:
|
Prohibited
Discharges:
- Industrial
process water
- Commercial
car wash wastewater
- Sanitary
sewer flows
- Wash-down
of loading areas
- Wastewater
treatment plant effluent
- Dumping
of liquid waste
- Chlorinated
pool water
- Water
softener brine backwash
|
Permissible
Discharges:
- Water
utility line flushing
- Runoff
from firefighting
- Landscape
irrigation
- Ground
water recharge
- Discharges
from potable water sources
- Dechlorinated
pool water
- Street
wash water from cleaning/maintenance
- Residential
and fund raising car washing
|
Indications
of Illegal/Illicit Discharges to the Storm Drain System:
- Unusual
color or cloudiness
- Strong
pungent or musty odor
- Floating
debris
- Surface
scum or foam
- Oil
sheen
- Algae
|
- Dead
vegetation or inhibited growth
- Dead
animals
- Stains
on channel bottom or sides
- Pipe
corrosion
|
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