Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE)

Wide, tall pipe showing chemicals draining from itWhat is IDDE?
The tracking, detection, and mitigation of illicit discharges is known as IDDE. An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge to the MS4 system that is not composed entirely of storm water, with the exception of NYSDEC SPDES-permitted flows.  These non-stormwater discharges occur due to illegal connections to the storm drain system from business or commercial establishments. As a result of these illicit connections, contaminated wastewater enters into storm drains or directly into local waters before receiving treatment from a wastewater treatment plant. Illicit connections may be intentional or may be unknown to the business owner and often are due to the connection of floor drains to the storm sewer system. Additional sources of illicit discharges can be failing septic systems, illegal dumping practices, and the improper disposal of sewage from recreational practices such as boating or camping.

The Village employs several methods to detect and eliminate illicit discharges, and these can include:

  • Outfall Reconnaissance Inventories
  • Indicator Monitoring at Stormwater Outfalls and Midstream
  • Tracking Discharges to their source

How to identify Illicit Discharges?
If it has not rained in at least three days and there is water coming from a stormwater outfall pipe, there is a chance that the water is from an illegal source.

  • Sometimes there are natural sources such as groundwater that seeps into the stormwater system and is discharged through the outfall pipe.
  • Other ways of determining illicit discharge are as simple as using your sense of smell and sight
  • Odor: If you smell an odor from outfall pipe such as sewage, gasoline, or a chemical smell there might be an illicit discharge.
  • Visual: If you see that was water is cloudy, brown, contains soap suds or a sheen there might be an illicit discharge.

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