Illegal Discharges Defined

[One Tough Pressure]

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

http://www.lvstormwater.com/reporting.html

Posted as a guide to help, but your area may vary from this.

[newlook]

Okay...I will jump into this. Where does it say anything about water from pressure washing?

[Russ Johnson]

* Floating debris
* Surface scum or foam
* Oil sheen

[John Doherty]

According to my EPA guy (Region 8) and my State contact (Colorado) P/W wash water is considered 'process water'.

I have a feeling this could be a long thread.

JD

[newlook]

So the way to handle the excess water is to redirect into the yard and surrounding landscaping. This eliminates any wastewater discharge and allows for natural evaporation.

[One Tough Pressure]

Originally Posted by newlook

So the way to handle the excess water is to redirect into the yard and surrounding landscaping. This eliminates any wastewater discharge and allows for natural evaporation.

Carlos,
The CWA is federal and can not be reduced by local areas, but they can add to it. If the area ytou work in has well water or for any other reason they want to, they can say that water is not allowed to be redirected.
While it wouldn't be a violation pf the CWA, it could still be one with the City or County laws. That is one of the reasons things vary so much from City to City. In some cities they will fine you for Residential and fund raising car washing, despite that many will allow it.
It just depends on your area. The list above is a helpful but is not 100% accurate for all areas, sinbce they can add to it as they feel is needed.

[John Doherty]

As usual Alan nailed it! State and local gov's can be more restrictive, than provided for by the CWA, they can not be less restrictive.

There is a filp side to the coin though, the reality of enforcement. I've spoken to plenty of local sanitation and sewer guys (municipal), they've told me 'we know what you're doing and know it's really not a problem' (new const. flatwork, hotwater, no chems, rockbag screening solids and debris). That's all well and good, but if a State or EPA guy/gal spots you it's a violation, period!

In Colorado the state conducted about 65 construction site NPDES inspections in 2004, they now have additional resources and are planning on almost 300 for 2005. I see no margin in a $10k fine so we 'contain' on all jobs.

JD

[newlook]

Unfortunately nobody in our city even knows whether or not they have something more defined than the CWA standards that are in place. Our city does flate work and diverts the runoff into the landscaping and allows for evaporation. No chemicals are used...just water application.

Newheights,

It sounds like CO is really monitoring waste water discharge. Good luck.

[One Tough Pressure]

Carlos,
Ask your City for the Municipal Code and see what it has to offer in what they expect from you and everyone else. They may have it online if you search a little.

[newlook]

Alan,

I will check it out as I am curious to see what they have in the Code.

Thanks Alan...good seeing you online.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by One Tough Pressure

Carlos,
Ask your City for the Municipal Code and see what it has to offer in what they expect from you and everyone else. They may have it online if you search a little.

I think thats part of the problem, being able to access the information easily.