1. ILLICIT DISCHARGES– COMMON PROBLEMS
ROCK RIVER STORMATER GROUP

2. NR 216 – Illicit Discharges – Defined
NR (3) ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION.
A program to detect and remove illicit discharges and improper disposal of wastes into the municipal separate storm sewer system, or require the discharger to obtain a separate WPDES permit.

3. NR 216 – Illicit – Defined NR 216.002 (11) “Illicit Discharge”
means any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of storm water except discharges authorized by a WPDES permit or other discharges not requiring a WPDES permit … (allowable discharges)…

4. NR 216 Illicit Discharge Requirements
Develop/Enforce Illicit Discharge Ordinance
Develop Storm Sewer System Map/Outfalls
Conduct Field Screening for Illicit Discharges
Follow-up on Potential Illicit Discharges
Eliminate Potential Illicit Discharges
Educate Public on Spills/Illicit Discharges
Promote Public Reporting of Spills/Discharges
Limit Infiltration of Sanitary Sewers

5. What are Illicit Discharges
Water line flushing;
Landscape irrigation;
Residential car washing;
Diverted stream flows;
Uncontaminated ground water infiltration;
Uncontaminated pumped ground water;
Discharges from potable water sources;
Foundation or footing drains;
Air conditioning condensation;
Swimming pool discharges;
Sanitary sewer connections

6. Why should we care about illicit discharges?
Sources of illicit discharges can be numerous and ever-present
Sewage
Industrial & commercial
Spills & dumping liquids
Outdoor washing (including car washing)
Etc.
We all want clean water for many used
Drinking water
Fishing or recreation
Tourism
Water front homes
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

7. Eliminate Potential Illicit Discharges
Varies by community
Note (Order) to owner
Disconnect as soon as practicable
(24 hours? 48 hours? Days? Weeks?)
Track and document corrective action

8. What Can You Do?
Be an alert observer
Report suspicious discharges

9. Physical & Visual Indicators
Sheen
Odor
Rust
Color
staining

10. Examples - Cross Connections and Illegal Connections
Improper connection to floor drains
Cross connections between storm sewer and sanitary sewers
Cracked or broken sanitary or water lines

11. Signs of a Sewage Discharge
Gray water
Sewage fungus
Blackish discharge
Oil
Sewer odor
Pictures…

12. Other Suspicious Discharges
Oily sheen
Trash
Brown – sediment laden
Milky color
Soap bubbles
Pictures…

13. Examples - Construction Site Illicit Discharges
Improper hay bales
Improper installation/poor maintenance of silt fence or inlet controls

14. Examples - Construction Site Illicit Discharges
Improper installation/poor maintenance of silt fence or inlet controls

15. Examples - Construction Site Illicit Discharges
Improper hay bales
Improper installation/poor maintenance of silt fence or inlet controls

16. Examples - Construction Site Illicit Discharges
Leads to sediment laden runoff into streams

17. Examples - Construction Site Illicit Discharges
Bad
Good

18. Examples - Dewatering
Construction site dewatering – needs proper controls or is illicit
Draining of swimming pools
Draining of holding tanks

19. Examples – Equipment/Car Washing
Car/equipment washing – to sanitary
Residential car washing should be down on lawn
Washing of lawn equipment should be done on grassy areas
Concrete truck cleanout – contained; not to stream or storm sewer
Washing of items that could release oils or greases should go to sanitary sewer

20. Examples – Paint and other Household Hazardous Wastes
Used Oil
Antifreeze
Paint
Turpentine
Leftover Pesticides/fertilizers
Carpet cleaners
Paint can turn toxic when washed into storm drain or stream

21. Examples – Discharges to Storm Sewer
Snow melt running directly to storm drain
Soapy water to storm drain
Sediment laden runoff to storm drain

22. Examples – Improper Disposal
Pouring liquids on ground
Dumping garbage
Open dumpsters
Pet waste

23. Examples – Industrial Sites
Slag and debris on ground exposed to rainfall
Storage of rusting items in the open

24. Examples – Industrial Sites
Loading dock with trash collecting at storm sewer inlet
Debris allowed to collect on ground – exposed to rainfall
Uncovered, leaking dumpsters

25. Examples - Miscellaneous
Leaking drums/containers
Commercial areas – cleaning; dumping grease
Carpet cleaning trucks discharging to storm drain

26. Examples - Miscellaneous
No dumping – flows directly to creek/lake
Visual evidence of illicit discharge on water in creek

27. QUESTIONS/ DISCUSSION