WHAT IS AN ILLICIT DISCHARGE?
An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge
to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
that is not composed entirely of stormwater.
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 streams 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.
Illicit discharge detection and elimination
programs are designed to prevent contamination of
ground and surface water supplies by monitoring,
inspection and removal of these illegal nonstormwater discharges.
Call 412.486.9700 Ext. 230 or e-mail: msebastian@
shaler.org to report an illicit discharge.
Shaler | Summer 2016 | icmags.com 39
TOW N SHI P OF SHAL E R N E WS
All municipalities should be committed to improving water
quality through better management of stormwater runoff.
Shaler Township is committed to this goal. Immediately upon
the adoption of the Stormwater Management Act in 1978,
Shaler Township embraced the implementation of stormwater
management techniques. It started very simply. The Township
has been on a quest to put into action pragmatic and
constantly up-to-date best management practices in managing
stormwater throughout the Township. This
quest more recently, under U.S. EPA and
PA DEP direction, focuses on water quality
along with stormwater management
techniques.
Every resident can participate in
their municipal stormwater program by
reducing or preventing pollutant runoff
from their own property and by reporting
any non-stormwater discharges into the
township’s drainage system.
There are numerous things we can do
on a daily basis to keep pollution out of
our waterways. The following are just a few
things we all can do to help improve water
quality on our streams, rivers and lakes:
• Never dump anything into storm drains,
swales or streams
• Pick up litter from the street before it
gets into storm drains
• Use limited amounts of fertilizer
• If you must use pesticides, search for an
environmentally‑friendly brand
• Recycle motor oil, paint and other
hazardous chemicals. Never dump such
materials down the drain or into the
storm system
• Recycle glass, plastic and aluminum
• Always pick up your pet’s waste, or else harmful bacteria
can get into our water
Shaler
Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping — Develop and
implement a program that reduces or prevents pollutant runoff
from municipal operations.