An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge to a storm sewer that is not composed entirely of stormwater.
Direct & Indirect Connections
Illicit discharges can enter the system through either direct or indirect connections.
- Direct Connections - wastewater piping either mistakenly or deliberately connected to the storm drains
- Indirect connections - infiltration into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) from cracked sanitary systems, spills collected by drain outlets, or paint or used oil dumped directly into a drain
The result is untreated discharges.
Intermittent & Continuous Discharges
Illicit discharges may be continuous or intermittent. Intermittent discharges tend to be discharged only when carried by a storm event while continuous illicit discharges often flow during dry weather.
How You Can Help
Make sure nothing but rain washes off your street, sidewalk and driveway! Whatever goes into the street, washes down the storm drain and ends up in our lakes and rivers.