STOP ILLEGAL DUMPING!
Dumping wastes into storm drains, catch basins, or ditches
carries pollutants directly to our waters. It is illegal! Please
report any illegal dumping:
Special
Community Reporting Line
For Suspected Non-Emergency Illicit Discharge
▪ call 734-222-3880
For Hazardous or Flammable Spills
▪ call 9-1-1
Immediately
What is an Illicit Discharge or Connection?
An illicit discharge is any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of rain water or groundwater. Examples include dumping of motor vehicle fluids, household hazardous wastes, grass clippings, leaf litter, industrial waste, restaurant wastes, or other non-storm water materials into a storm sewer system via a pipe or other direct connection. Sources of illicit connections may include sanitary sewer taps, wash water for laundromats or car washes, and other similar sources.
How Do I Spot an Illicit Discharge or Connection?
- Look for makeshift pipes or hoses that lead to storm drain or body of water.
- Watch for stains, unusual odors, structural damage to streets or gutters, and abnormal vegetative growth in nearby lakes and streams.
- If you see an illicit discharge or connection, REPORT IT to your community. The Illicit Discharge and
Connection Ordinance, adopted by your community, gives them legal
authority to inspect and sample discharge, as well as enforce
sanctions for violations.
MDOT- How to deal with Illicit Discharge
MDOT- How NOT to deal with Illicit Discharge
Catch Basin Decal Program
In an effort to deter illegal dumping into catch basins and other storm structures, the Washtenaw County Road Commission is working on a program to retrofit all storm structures with a decal that reads:
“No Dumping – Drains to Stream”
All newly installed catch basins and storm inlets are required to have the “No Dumping – Drains to Stream” language embossed into the casting.
Stream Crossing Sign Program
As part of an ongoing public education awareness initiative, the Washtenaw County Road Commission, in association with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, continues its annual program of installing stream crossing signs.
The purpose of the signs is to promote awareness of the presence of a water body crossing a roadway and that the water body is an integral part of a watershed. Hopefully, with increased awareness of these water bodies, the public will be more cognizant as to potential negative impacts of such behaviors as throwing waste or pollutants alongside the roadway.
