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Public Works

Stormwater Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination

Reporting Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination...

Illicit discharges are defined as a storm drain that has measurable flow during dry weather containing pollutants and/or pathogens. A storm drain with measurable flow but containing no pollutants is simply considered a discharge.

Nasty stuff (those things that professionals call Illicit Discharges) can lead to pollutants reaching creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water where we do our recreational activities or use it as drinking water. We are especially concerned about heavy metals (and we are not talking about the rock bands!), toxins, oil and grease, solvents, nutrients, pathogens, and bacteria.

Report Issues by email at stormwater@douglas.co.us or by clicking the link to the fillable form below.

Form to Report Illicit Discharges, Spills, or other Water Pollution Concerns

Stormwater Non-allowable Illicit Discharge and Potable Water Issues

Following is a list of items that would be considered NON-ALLOWABLE illicit discharge (“nasty stuff”) that we do not want to have in the stormwater system:

  • Sanitary wastewater from improper sewage connections exfiltration or leakage
  • Effluent from improperly operating or improperly designed septic tanks
  • Overflows of sanitary sewage systems
  • Untreated commercial car wash wastewater
  • Radiator flushing wastewater
  • Engine degrease wastes
  • Improper oil, gasoline, and other automotive fluids disposal
  • Leaking of oils, gasoline, and other automotive fluids
  • Over-application of fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides onto landscaping
  • Laundry wastes
  • Non-contact cooling waters
  • Metal plating solutions
  • Dewatering of construction sites without proper permitting and control measures
  • Washing of concrete ready-mix trucks
  • Contaminated sump pump discharges
  • Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes
  • Spills from the roadway and other accidents
  • Chemicals, hazardous materials, and garbage
  • Commercial use of soaps and detergents; use in cleaning pavement, vehicles, and equipment
  • Sediment from lack of or improper maintenance of erosion and sedimentation controls
  • Latex/oil-based paints and solvents
  • Trash and debris: littering and dumping, household or construction waste
  • Improper disposal of restaurant grease
Read More

Stormwater Allowable Illicit Discharge

The following types of discharges are ALLOWABLE and not considered illicit discharges to the MS4, and are exempt from regulation by the Douglas County Stormwater Ordinance:

  • Landscape irrigation
  • Lawn watering
  • Diverted stream flows
  • Irrigation return flow
  • Rising groundwaters
  • Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration
  • Uncontaminated pumped groundwater

(Note: Discharges containing groundwater that come into contact with construction activity is not considered “uncontaminated” due to the potential for sediment content.)

  • Springs
  • Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands
  • Waterline flushing in accordance with the division’s Low-Risk Policy Discharge
  • Discharges from potable water sources in accordance with the Division’s Low-Risk Discharge Guidance: Potable Water
  • The potable water shall not be used in any additional process. Processes include, but are not limited to, any type of washing, heat exchange, manufacturing, and hydrostatic testing of pipelines not associated with treated water distribution systems.
  • Foundation drains
  • Air conditioning condensation
  • Water from crawl space pumps
  • Footing drains
  • Individual residential car washing
  • Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges in accordance with the division’s Low-Risk Discharge Guidance: Swimming Pools.
  • Water incidental to street sweeping (including associated sidewalks and medians) and that is not associated with construction
  • Dye testing in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
  • Stormwater runoff with incidental pollutants
  • Discharges resulting from emergency fire fighting activities
  • Discharges authorized by a CDPS or NPDES permit
  • Agricultural Stormwater Runoff
  • Discharges that are in accordance with the Division’s Low-Risk Policy guidance documents or other Division policies and guidance documents where the Division has stated that it will not pursue permit coverage or enforcement for specified point source discharges.
Read More

Additional Information

Douglas County staff is in charge of ensuring unpermitted discharges are eliminated, cleaned up properly, and appropriate mitigation measures are implemented by the State Water Quality Control Division.

Use the following link for more information regarding CDPHE Low Risk Discharge Guidance (WQP27)