An illicit discharge is the discharge of pollutants or non-stormwater materials into the storm drainage system via overland flow, direct dumping, or illicit connections. Illicit connections are pipes or other direct connections that illegally or unknowingly release pollutants or non-stormwater materials into a storm drainage system or directly into a body of water.
Under the NPDES-MS4 Permit, the Town of Plainville is required to implement an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program to ensure that all discharges to and from the municipal separate storm drainage system that are not composed entirely of stormwater are either permitted by the Massachusetts Department of the Environmental Protection (DEP) or eliminated.
Examples of Illicit Discharges
Bagged pet waste
Direct septic connections into the storm drain system
Improper disposal of automobile and household products
Laundry wastewater
Leaves and other debris dumped into open drainage and stream channels
Overflow from septic tanks, car wash wastewater
Sanitary wastewater from crushed or collapsed pipes or surcharges