Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

What is an Illicit Discharge? IDDE-tennesseewaterworks.com

Illicit discharges are discharges into the stormwater conveyance system that are not composed entirely of stormwater. Illicit discharges often include sediment, nutrients, bacteria, and toxic pollutants. 

Learn more about reporting an illicit discharge by checking out the IDDE Brochure.

Report an Illicit Discharge:

Thank you for taking the time to report anything suspicious draining into a city storm drain or from a pipe entering a stream.

What are Examples of an Illicit Discharge? 

  • Improper disposal of yard waste, such as grass or leaves
  • Vehicle wash wastewater
  • Gasoline and automotive fluid spills
  • Illegal dumping of household hazardous waste, such as paint
  • Laundry wastewater
  • Improper disposal of auto and household toxins
  • Sanitary wastewater
  • Effluent from septic tanks
  • Sediment and pollutants from construction sites





Controlling Illicit Discharge 

Detecting and eliminating illicit discharges is one of the minimum control measures required by the City’s stormwater permit. To improve our water quality and stay in compliance with state and federal regulations, the City of Superior has developed an illicit discharge detection and elimination program. The program includes an ordinance to prevent and eliminate illicit discharges and connections, outfall field screening activities and procedures for responding to and eliminating illicit discharges.  

Why are Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Efforts Necessary? 

Discharges from the storm sewer system into local waterbodies often include wastes and wastewater from non-stormwater sources. Illicit discharges enter the storm sewer system through either direct connections (e.g. wastewater piping mistakenly or deliberately connected to the storm drain) or indirect connections (e.g. infiltration from cracked sanitary systems, spills collected at drain inlets, or paint, oil, or other liquid wastes dumped directed into a storm drain).

The result is untreated discharges that contribute to high levels of pollutants, including heavy metals, toxins, oil and grease, solvents, nutrients, viruses, and bacteria to receiving waters. Pollutant levels from these illicit discharges have been shown in EPA studies to be high enough to significantly degrade receiving water quality and threaten aquatic, wildlife, and human health.

How Can You Help? 

  • Never dump anything down a storm drain.
  • Dispose of yard and pet waste properly.
  • Avoid excess use of lawn fertilizers.
  • Wash your car on your lawn or at a car wash facility.
  • De-chlorinate pool water before draining.
  • Dispose of paint, cleaners, and other household chemicals according to label directions.
  • Take unwanted oil, paint, gasoline, and other toxic wastes to a household hazardous waste site or recycling center.
  • Make sure sanitary, laundry, car wash, and industrial wastes don’t drain to the storm sewer.
  • Report illicit discharges to the reporting line at (715) 394-2761.


City of Superior Illicit Discharge Ordinance Sec. 114-239

In accordance with our stormwater permit, the City of Superior adopted an Illicit Discharge Detection and Illicit Connection Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits allowing pollutants to enter our local waters, regulates connections to the storm sewer system, and outlines enforcement procedures and penalties.