STORMWATER INFORMATION
Stormwater, (also written "storm water"), is water that originates from precipitation, such as rain and melted snow. Stormwater can soak into the soil and become groundwater, or it can end up in ponds and puddles, evaporate back into the atmosphere, or contribute to surface runoff. Storm sewers and ditches collect stormwater runoff and empty it into nearby streams, rivers or wetlands. Ideally, stormwater runoff would be free of contaminants. But in reality, it picks up pollutants such as animal waste, pesticides, fertilizers, salt, oil and grease, soil and debris and transports them to waterways where they are discharged without treatment. This is stormwater pollution.
What is “Illicit Discharge?”
An illicit discharge is any discharge to a municipal storm sewer system - storm drains, pipes, and ditches - that is not composed entirely of stormwater. Pollutants end up in storm sewer systems in a number of ways, many of which are easily preventable. In some instances, companies or residences have waste pipes tapped into stormwater pipes. In other cases, individuals use the storm drain inlets to dispose of various types of waste. Disposal of anything other than stormwater in storm sewers is illegal!
Courtesy of
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Courtesy of
Santa Fe County Public Works Dept
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Courtesy of
City of Portage, Michigan
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To report minor spills contact Jeff Pearce at (585) 392-9632, if after hours leave a message stating what spill or illicit discharge, address of problem, call back number for us to contact. Or for large spills call New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267).
More information on Illicit Stormwater Discharges
The Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County
Stormwater MS4 Joint Annual Report
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