Illicit Discharge

Understanding Illicit Discharge


An illicit discharge is defined in the federal regulations as:

"...any discharge to an Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) that is not composed entirely of storm water..."

There are two modes of entry: direct and indirect.

Direct:

Flows in the storm drains created by illicit/improper connections between sanitary sewer and storm drain system.

Indirect: 

Flows in the storm drains created by pollutants that enter the storm drain system through an inlet or through the joints of the pipe (infiltration).


Examples of Illicit Discharge


Direct

  • Sewage cross-connections with storm drains
  • Straight pipe connections
  • Industrial and commercial cross-connections with storm drains

Indirect

  • Groundwater seepage into the storm drain pipe
  • Spills that enter the storm drain system at an inlet
  • Dumping liquid into a storm drain inlet
  • Outdoor washing activities that create flow to a storm drain inlet
  • Non-target irrigation from landscaping or lawns that reaches the storm drain system




Contact Us

  1. Edward Orozco

    Public Works Manager

    Phone: 713.662.5858



    Operations

    3826 Amherst

    West University Place, TX  77005 


    Public Works Customer Service
    Phone: 713.662.5839


    After-Hours Emergency
    Phone: 713.668.0330


    Hours

    Monday - Friday

    7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.


    Staff Directory