Why Protecting Stormwater from Illicit Discharges is Important
Stormwater flows to waterways without any additional treatment. Illicit discharges can contribute high levels of pollutants to water bodies. Pollutants commonly found in illicit discharges include raw sewage (viruses and bacteria), heavy metals, toxics, oil and grease, solvents, and nutrients. Pollutant levels from these illicit discharges have been shown in EPA studies to be high enough to significantly degrade water quality, close beaches, and threaten aquatic, wildlife, and human health.