Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
An illicit discharge is the discharge of pollutants or non-stormwater materials into the storm drainage system via overland flow, direct dumping, or illicit connections. Illicit connections are pipes or other direct connections that illegally or unknowingly release pollutants or non-storm water materials into a storm drainage system or directly into a body of water.
Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, the Town of Westminster is required to implement an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program to ensure that all discharges to and from the municipal separate storm drainage system that are not composed entirely of stormwater are either permitted by the Massachusetts Department of the Environmental Protection (DEP) or eliminated.
Examples of Illicit Discharge
- Bagged pet waste
- Direct septic connections into the storm drain system
- Improper disposal of automobile and household products
- Laundry wastewater
- Leaves and other debris dumped into open drainage and stream channels
- Overflow from septic tanks, car wash wastewater
- Sanitary wastewater from crushed or collapsed pipes or surcharges
Exceptions (not considered illicit discharges)
- Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges
- Diverted stream flows
- Foundation drains
- Landscape irrigation
- Potable water source discharges
- Rising or out-breaking groundwater
- Stormwater runoff from streets and sidewalks
- Uncontaminated pumped groundwater (includes clean sump pump discharges)
- Water line flushing
For more information regarding the Phase II Stormwater Management Program, contact the Westminster Department of Public Works at (978) 874-5572.