Urban Runoff: Model Ordinances for Illicit Discharges

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The model ordinance in this section includes language to address illicit discharges in general, as well as illicit connections from industrial sites. The language is borrowed from a number of ordinances and communities will need to assess what enforcement methods are appropriate for their area.

• Model Illicit Discharge and Connection Stormwater Ordinance (pdf) (46.85 KB)
• Fort Worth, Texas Environmental Code-Stormwater Protection (pdf) (98.18 KB)
  Fort Worth's ordinance has been used as a model by many other communities around the country and their illicit connection detection program has been recognized nationally.
• Washtenaw County, Michigan Regulation for Inspection of Residential Onsite Disposal Systems at Property Transfer (pdf) (74.69 KB)
  Failing septic systems are recognized as a source of pollutants, especially nitrogen and bacteria. This ordinance seeks to identify those systems that may be contributing excessive pollutant loadings by requiring that inspections be done a time of sale or title transfer.
• Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Sewer Use (pdf) (164.37 KB)
  Ordinance Sewer use ordinances are designed to control pollutant discharges to the sanitary sewer system. Since cross connections often occur between sanitary and storm sewer systems, the regulation of discharges can help reduce contamination of stormwater runoff.
• City of Monterey, California Stormwater Ordinance (pdf) (89.07 KB)
  The City of Monterey was part of a Model Urban Runoff Program designed to be used by small municipalities under 100,000 in population. The Model Program includes a "Stormwater Discharge Management Ordinance" which provides the legal authority required to regulate illicit discharges.
• Montgomery County, Maryland Illicit Discharge Ordinance (pdf) (32.84 KB)
  This ordinance includes illegal discharge restrictions for agriculture and includes language that provides the Director of Environmental Protection with significant latitude for illicit discharge control.