An illicit discharge is any discharge into a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. The exceptions include water from fire fighting activities and discharges from facilities already under an NPDES permit.
Stormwater flows to waterways without any additional treatment. Illicit discharges often include pathogens, nutrients, surfactants, and various toxic pollutants.
Below is a list of discharges allowed by our permit:
- water line flushing (excluding discharges of hyper-chlorinated water, unless the water is first de-chlorinated and discharges are not expected to adversely affect aquatic life);
- runoff or return flow from landscape irrigation, lawn irrigation, and other irrigation utilizing potable water, groundwater, or surface water sources
- discharges from potable water sources
- diverted stream flows
- rising ground waters and springs
- uncontaminated ground water infiltration
- uncontaminated pumped ground water
- foundation and footing drains
- air conditioning condensation
- water from crawl space pumps
- individual residential vehicle washing
- flows from wetlands and riparian habitats
- de-chlorinated swimming pool discharges
- street wash water
- discharges or flows from fire fighting activities (fire fighting activities do not include washing of trucks, run-off water from training activities, test water from fire suppression systems, and similar activities)
- other allowable non-storm water discharges listed in 40 CFR ' 122.26(d)(2)(iv)(B)(1)
- non-storm water discharges that are specifically listed in the TPDES Multi Sector General Permit (MSGP) or the TPDES Construction General permit (CGP)
- other similar occasional incidental non-storm water discharges, unless the TCEQ develops permits or regulations addressing these discharges.
If someone is dumping liquids or trash into a storm drain or if you see an illicit discharge, please contact the Stormwater Management Program Office at (254) 298-5625.
Illegal dumping can also affect our stormwater. Please report any illegal dumping to the City of Temple Code Enforcement Office (254) 298-5670.
