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Ordinance 2005-2

Ordinance 2005-2 - Prohibited Discharges, Prohibited Connections & Roof Drains

Sections 221, 222 and 223 of Ordinance 2005-2 addressing prohibited discharges, prohibited connections and roof drains.

What is an Illicit Discharge?

Federal regulations define an illicit discharge as any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. There are exceptions to this rule such as firefighting activities, landscape irrigation, foundation drains, water from crawl space pumps, etc.

Sources of Illicit Discharge Include

  • Sanitary Wastewater
  • Failing Septic Systems
  • Car Wash Waste Water
  • Improper Oil Disposal
  • Radiator Flushing Disposal
  • Spills from Roadway Accidents
  • Improper disposal of household toxics or improper use of pesticides and herbicides, etc.

Illicit discharges enter the system either through direct connections (deliberate pipe hookups to the storm drain system) or indirect connections (spills collected by drain outlets, or deliberate dumping down the storm drain.) These illicit discharges drain directly to the creeks and streams and may be loaded with a large amount of harmful and toxic substances. These pollutants enter the aquatic system and degrade the water quality and threaten wildlife and human health. Those who allow prohibited discharge to enter the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) are in violation of the Stormwater Management Ordinance and can be subject to a fine.

Water Quality Hotlines for Citizens

Citizens can help report violations or problems they notice in their local streams before they cause more damage and pollution. Residents sometimes may be the first to recognize “illicit” discharges dumping into storm sewers or coming from storm sewer outfalls.

New stormwater regulations from Pennsylvania’s DEP require that your municipality investigate more thoroughly potential illicit discharges (pollutants) into our streams. You can help by promptly reporting the following events to the authorities listed in the hotline box below. Here are some of the conditions that you should report:

  • Sediment leaving a construction site in stormwater (your county conservation district)
  • Observed pollution event or pollutants in stream (DEP)
  • Clogged or leaking sewer lines (your sewer authority)
  • Failing or overflowing sewer effluent from treatment plant (your sewer plant and DEP)
  • Spills (DEP spills hotline)
  • Illegal dumping activity into water courses (your municipality, DEP)
  • Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (72 hours after a rain storm)( your municipality)
  • Fish Kills (Fish Commission, DEP)
  • Water main breaks (Aqua PA or Chester Water Authority)

Photos and exact locations are very helpful!

Helpful Phone Numbers

DEP Water Quality Hotline
(484) 250-5900

DEP 24 Hour Water Quality Hotline
(866) 255-5158
Anytime including evenings and weekends

DEP Spills and Other Emergencies Hotline
(800) 541-2050
24 hour

Off Site Discharge of Sediment, Erosion and Other Improper Controls During Construction
(610) 489-4506 Montgomery County Conservation District
Email photo and send full address and directions

Suspected Sewage System Malfunctions
(610) 287-6160
Weekdays during working hours

Fish Kills, Illegal Fishing PA Fish Commission
(717) 626-0228
Also call DEP Water Quality

Dry Weather Outfall Flows (Discharges to Stream from Outfall Pipes After 72 Hours of No Rain)
(610) 287-6160
Weekdays during working hours

Broken Water Mains – North Penn Water
(215) 855-3617 (Operating Hours)
(215) 855-9945 (After Hours)

Upper Salford Township
(610) 287-6160
Weekdays during working hours