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Illicit Discharge
What is an illicit discharge? An illicit discharge is the release of untreated wastewater into our waters via a storm drain or direct wash off into ditches, rivers, lakes, and streams. In other words, any waste that gets into our water.
Report Illicit Discharges!
To protect the quality of our streams and public health, please report sources of pollution you witness in our community, including: dumping waste/oil or other vehicle fluids or suspicious pipes outletting to ditches or streams. You can do this anonymously by calling the Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) hotline at: (800) 292-4706.
For immediate and obvious threats to public health/safety call 911!
Click the link below for more information on how to report illicit discharge:
http://www.swmpc.org/report.asp
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How Not to Deal with an Illicit Discharge
How to deal with an Illicit Discharge
Common Pollutants
Sediment, nutrients, organic matter, bacteria, oil and grease, toxic substances, heavy metals. Scroll down to read how each pollutant effects our environment!
What is their effect on our environment?
Sediment |
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Nutrients |
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Organic Matter |
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Bacteria |
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Oil and Grease |
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Toxic Substances |
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Heavy Metals |
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What else impacts the pollution of stormwater?
- A Rise in Temperature
- Stormwater runoff increases in temperature as it flows over impervious surfaces. In addition, water stored in shallow, unshaded ponds and impoundments can increase in temperature.
- Removal of natural vegetation (such as tree canopy) opens up water bodies to direct solar radiation.
- Elevated water temperatures can impact a water body’s ability to support certain fish and aquatic organisms.
Phone: 269.925.1137 Fax: 269.925.0288