Reporting Illicit Discharges

In order to comply with the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II MS4 Permit, St. Johns County must establish regulations that will prohibit illicit discharges into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and provide sufficient means to monitor and enforce local discharge regulations. In 2006, the County adopted Stormwater Ordinance 2006-62.

Illicit discharge or illicit stormwater discharge means any discharge into the St. Johns County storm sewer system (ditches, swales, canals, or storm drains) that is not composed entirely of stormwater. Lawn irrigation water, firefighting water, and individual car washing water are not considered illicit discharges.

Many seemingly harmless household activities, such as dumping yard waste, or draining chlorinated swimming pool water and household waste water from washing machines, dishwashers or water softening devices into ditches, storm drains and canals are also classified as illicit discharges. Theses activities can cause water pollution. Ditches and storm drains are not connected to the sanitary sewer system, and the water flowing through storm drains and ditches is not treated at wastewater plants before being discharged into our environment. Stormwater and pollutants that enter the storm sewer system can flow directly into streams, rivers, estuaries, bays and the Atlantic Ocean.