Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

Minimum Control Measure #3

 

“Develop, implement and enforce a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges. This includes developing and maintaining a map of outfall locations and their receiving water bodies, mapping the storm sewer shed, prohibit illicit discharges through laws or ordinances, and inform the public about the hazards associated with illegal discharges and the improper disposal of waste.”

 

Description

The Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination minimum control measure consists of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that focus on the detection and elimination of illicit discharges into the MS4. The BMPs describe outfall mapping and updating procedures; the legal authority mechanism that will be used to effectively prohibit illicit discharges; enforcement procedures and actions to ensure that the regulatory mechanism is implemented; the dry weather screening program and procedures for tracing and locating the source of an illicit discharge; procedures for locating priority areas; and procedures for removing the source of the illicit discharge.

 

 

General Permit Requirements                              

  • Develop, implement and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into the MS4.
  • Develop and maintain a map, showing the location of all outfalls and the names and location of all waters of the United States that receive discharges from those outfalls.
  • Field verify all outfall locations.
  • Conduct an outfall reconnaissance inventory, addressing each outfall at least once every five years, with reasonable progress each year.
  • Map new outfalls as they are constructed or newly discovered.
  • Prohibit, through ordinance or other regulatory mechanism, illicit discharges into the storm sewer system and implement appropriate enforcement procedures and actions.
  • Develop and implement a program to detect and address non-stormwater discharges, including illegal dumping, to the system.
  • Inform public employees, businesses, and the general public of hazards associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste.
  • Address the categories of non-stormwater discharges or flows as necessary.
  • Develop, record, periodically assess, and modify as needed, measureable goals.
  • Select and implement appropriate IDDE BMPs and measureable goals to ensure the reduction of all Pollutants of Concern in stormwater discharges to the MS4.                            

 

Accomplishments

  • On Monday June 20, 2016 the Town of Canandaigua adopted Local Law No.5 of the year 2016, creating Chapter 170 - Stormwater Management to the Town Code to meet the requirements of Minimum Control Measures of the SPDES General Permit.
  • On Monday June 20, 2016 the Town of Canandaigua adopted Local Law No.6 of the year 2016, creating Chapter 172 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination to the Town Code to meet the requirements of Minimum Control Measures of the SPDES General Permit.
  • The Town of Canandaigua has mapped and inspected the majority of the outfalls within the MS4 area.  Inspection files are located within the Outfall Database & Inspection folder, located within the Town of Canandaigua Development Office.  The outfall inspection and location data are stored in a data file, and are georeferenced into ArcGIS.
  • The MS4 Program Manager currently maintains the mapping and inspection database.

 

Goals                 

  • Using the existing outfall mapping, the Town of Canandaigua will conduct an outfall reconnaissance inventory during routine maintenance visits, addressing each outfall at least once every three years, with reasonable progress each year.
  • Maintain a prioritized list of outfalls for inspection, ranked as follows:
    • Outfalls in which previous inspections indicated evidence of illicit discharge such as dry weather discharge, color, odor, etc. or outfalls in areas where repeated complaints were received.
    • Outfalls in heavy industrial or commercial areas or construction sites
    • Outfalls in environmentally sensitive areas.
    • Outfalls which directly empty into Canandaigua Lake.
    • Outfalls in which previous inspections indicated structural deficiencies.
  • The Town of Canandaigua Stormwater Management Officer will ensure that outfalls are being inspected; and the inspections are documented, and will update outfall mapping forms for all outfalls that have been altered since mapping was established.
  • The Town of Canandaigua Stormwater Management Officer will periodically review the ordinance and adjust as necessary to maintain compliance with NYSDEC standards and requirements.
  • The Town of Canandaigua will update its current inspection plan to detect illicit discharges by conducting routine visual inspections of every mapped outfall. The plan will set criteria for the inspection process.
  • A future goal of the Stormwater Program is to define the drainage areas about each outfall. Having the drainage areas defined is helpful in tracking down illicit discharge sources.  The Town has purchased software, and drainage area mapping is a goal in 2017.
  • The Town of Canandaigua Stormwater Management Officer will investigate and confirm the source of pollutants when water quality issues arise due to public complaints or by scheduled inspection of outfalls and implement enforcement action per the Local Law to prohibit illicit discharges, activities and connections to separate storm sewer system.
  • The Town of Canandaigua Stormwater Management Officer will annually update nonstormwater discharge list as necessary such that no exempt stormwater discharge is a substantial contribution of pollutants.
  • NON-STORMWATER DISCHARGE LIST:
    • Waterline flushing
    • Landscape irrigation
    • Diverted stream flows
    • Discharges from potable water sources
    • Foundation and footing drains
    • Air conditioning condensate
    • Irrigation water
    • Water from crawl space and basement sump pumps
    • Lawn watering runoff
    • Water from individual residential car washing
    • De-chlorinated swimming pool and water reservoir discharges
    • Residual street wash water
    • Discharges or flows from fire fighting activities
    • Any SPDES permitted discharge
  • The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council has historically installed storm drain markers on existing catch basins. The Town of Canandaigua will continue to support and take part in the activities of the CLWC.
  • The Town of Canandaigua will continue to develop a spreadsheet containing catchbasin locations and maintenance history.
  • The Town of Canandaigua will continue to inspect and clean catch basins on a rotating basis.  The Town has recently purchased a street sweeper with a catch basin pump/vacuum, which will aid in the inspection and cleaning.
  • Through the minimum reporting requirements the Town of Canandaigua will document its progress in implementation of BMPs and measureable goals.
 


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