Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

What is an illicit discharge?

The City’s storm sewer system is designed to transport stormwater (rain and melting snow) to the nearest lake, stream, or wetland. Any waste or pollution that enters the storm sewer system will flow directly to the nearest waterbody without treatment and may cause serious environmental damage. Any discharge into a storm sewer system, ditch, river, stream, or waterbody that is not composed entirely of stormwater is called an illicit discharge.

Common Illicit Discharges

Fertilizer, grass, leaves, pesticides or pet waste
Gas, oil, paints and cleaners
Concrete wastewater and sediment from construction sites
Restaurant cooking oil
Commercial carwash wastewater
Installation of pipes that bypass sanitary connections or septic drain fields that produce a direct discharge to a waterbody

Illicit discharges may be the result of:

• Dumping gas, oil, paints, cleaners, concrete wastewater, sediment from construction sites, restaurant cooking oil and commercial carwash wastewater into the storm sewer system.
• Allowing fertilizer, grass, leaves, pesticides, or pet waste to wash into storm drains.
• Installing pipes that bypass sanitary connections or septic drain fields that produce a direct discharge to a waterbody.

How to Help

• Be alert! Report any suspicious discharges using the online webform, or call the City's Engineering Department at 651-429-8531. Anonymity will be respected.
• Clean up hazardous spills immediately.
• Pick up litter and trash near storm drains.
• Clean up pet waste and dispose in trash.
• Vegetate bare areas to reduce soil erosion.
• Do not blow leaves, grass clippings and mulch into the street. Sweep them up if they do land there.
• Recycle oil, antifreeze and batteries.*
• Bring household products, including paint, paint thinners, and solvents to a hazardous waste dump site.*

*For disposal options visit RamseyRecycles.com or call 651-633-EASY (3279), answered 24/7.

City’s role

Through its Stormwater Ordinance the City is authorized to regulate illicit discharge entering the City’s storm drainage system by any user.  City Public Works crews annually inspect the stormwater systems to check for illicit discharges or other problems. The ordinance contains enforcement provisions the City can take in the event an illicit discharge occurs.