MS4 Program - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

 
 
Illicit discharges are generally any discharge into a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.  The exceptions include water from fire fighting activities and discharges from facilities already under an NPDES permit.  Illicit discharges are a problem because, unlike wastewater which flows to a wastewater treatment plant, stormwater generally flows to waterways without any additional treatment.  Illicit discharges often include pathogens, nutrients, surfactants, and various toxic pollutants.  
 
Illiicit Discharge Photo

Why is it Important!

As a Phase II MS4, Franklin is required by EPA and IDEM regulations to develop a program to detect and eliminate these illicit discharges.  This developing:

An effective illicit discharge program needs to be both reactive and proactive. The program is reactive in addressing spills and other illicit discharges to the storm drain system that are found. The program must also be proactive in preventing and eliminating illicit discharges through education, training and enforcement.

What are we Doing?

Sources of illicit discharges in urban areas are numerous and seemingly ever-present. Franklin has benefited from establishing a comprehensive program to address these non-stormwater discharges, including a "Report a Polluter" hotline on the City's website and response procedures. A strong municipal program of polices and procedures consistent to the City's IDDE ordinance ensures that individual incidents are addressed consistently. It helps to establish evidence in cases where discharges result from criminal negligence.

Municipalities with older infrastructure should concentrate on illicit connections to the storm drain system. This is because recordkeeping and code enforcement may have been lacking when residences and businesses were first built, and undocumented modifications might have occurred. In older neighborhoods and in industrial areas, targeted investigation is conducted through dry weather screening at outfalls in addition to active stream monitoring.

 

Maintaining Your septic System

What can you Do?

Sources of water pollution like industrial wastes from factories have been greatly reduced in recent years.  Now, more than 60% of water pollution comes from things like runoff from homes, excess fertilizer and pet waste.  Other  pollutants include oil, grease, gasoline, lead & cadmium form the roads; pesticides, herbicides and animal waste from residential areas & farmlands; and dirt from construction sites, to name a few.  Added to this list are items improperly disposed of into storm drains or on the ground.  All these sources add up to a big pollution problem.  So believe it or not, the biggest source of water pollution today is not industry, it is actually households like yours.  But each of us can do small things to help clean up our water.  It starts with realizing that our sewers and storm systems are separate, what goes into storm drains flows directly into the environment, untreated ending up in waterways, wetlands, ponds, lakes, and can impact shellfish beds, fish and animal habitat, recreational swimming, and even our drinking water.   To lessen pollution, we all need to do our part and change our habits.  Your efforts along with your neighbors can make a difference.

 

FOG BrochureSeptic Brochure Wellhead Farm Protection Photo

 

"Click on a brochure to learn More"

Well Head Protection - "Plugging Abandoned Wells - A Landowners Guide"