Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

Only clean rainwater and the few exceptions noted below can go down a storm drain. If you see something other than clean water entering a drain or with the potential to enter a drain if it rains, please report it. Any substance entering a storm drain has the potential to harm water quality and needs to be stopped.

To report an Illicit Discharge simply access our Illicit Discharge Reporting Tool at the bottom of this page
This tool allows you to submit information regarding an observed illicit discharge or concern such as:

The date and time the discharge was observed
A brief description of the discharge
A mapped location of where the discharge was observed
A general description of the location
Relevant photos of the issue
If it’s an emergency or if the situation is deemed urgent, please contact Michael Murphy, CFM at (585)314-9699

Once an illicit discharge had been reported, the Town will investigate to verify the discharge, track down the source, identify the responsible party, and work to eliminate the discharge. The investigation and findings will be documented and included in our Annual Report.

What is an Illicit Discharge?
Stormwater runoff from urbanized areas can transfer pollutants from the storm sewer system to lakes and streams. In order to protect water quality Federal, State, and Local governments regulate what can go down the storm drain. In most cases, only rain is allowed down the drain. Any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer that is not composed entirely of stormwater is considered an illicit discharge. These discharges can often be detected when a storm drain has flow during dry weather. As an MS4, the Town is required to prohibit discharges of non-stormwater as well as detect and eliminate any discharges that may occur.

Exceptions
While rain is only allowed down the storm drain, there are certain discharges permissible by the Town's MS4 Permit that have been determined to not contribute substantial pollutants to the environment. These allowed non-stormwater discharges include:

Water Line Flushing
Landscape Irrigation
Diverted Stream Flows
Rising Ground Waters
Uncontaminated Ground Water Infiltration
Uncontaminated Pumped Ground Water
Discharges from Potable Sources
Air Conditioner Condensate
Irrigation Water
Springs
Water from Crawl Space Pumps
Footing Drains
Lawn Watering
Individual Car Washing
Natural Flows from Riparian Habitat and Wetlands
Dechlorinated Swimming Pool Discharges
Street Wash Water
Discharges or Flows from Fire Fighting Activities
Fire Hydrant Water Line Flushing

Identification
Illicit Discharges can be most easily identified when flow is observed during dry weather. 

These flows can contribute pollutants to the storm sewer system by direct or indirect discharge.

A direct discharge is one that enters the storm sewer directly through a pipe or drain, is usually continuous or intermittent, and is usually caused by an unintentional sewage cross connection or an intentional bypass known as a straight pipe.  

An indirect discharge is one that is generated outside the storm sewer system and enters through an inlet (storm drain) or joints in pipes and can be intermittent or temporary. These typically enter the storm sewer system via groundwater seepage after rain events, spills, dumping, outdoor washing activities, or irrigation runoff.

Activities that can produce a discharge include:

Outdoor Washing Activities: Vehicles, Surfaces, Equipment, Buildings
Parking Lot Maintenance
Vehicle/Equipment Fueling
Vehicle Maintenance/Repair
Landscaping/Grounds Care
Sewer Blockage/Maintenance
Construction
Erosion
Information for this section provided by:
Brown, E., & Caraco, D., (Center for Watershed Protection) & Pitt, R. (University of Alabama) (2004, October). Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: A Guidance Manual for Program Development and Technical Assessments. EPA Cooperative Agreement.
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=20017KFK.txt