| Illicit discharges
are generally any discharge into a storm drain system this 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.
Phase II MS4s are required
to develop a program to detect and eliminate these illicit discharges. |
 |
| Some Best Management
Practices (BMPs) include:
|
Wash
water from a commercial car wash discharging down a storm drain is an example
of an illicit discharge. |
With San Juan County, the
City of Aztec now has a storm water hotline to report any illicit dumping
into the storm drainage system. The Storm Water Hotline number is 505-334-4560. |