Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

Think you know your stuff when it comes to clean stormwater? 

Take the short Wilmington Illicit Discharge Quiz!  Test your knowledge of the current bylaw and educate others on one of today’s hottest topics in municipal stormwater management.

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An illicit discharge is defined as any release into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) of contaminated water, or any non-stormwater discharge that contributes pollutants to receiving waters.  The Town of Wilmington is committed to enforcing its Illicit Discharge Bylaw, and as such, fines have already been assessed for violations under the Bylaw.  It's important to stay educated on what is and isn't considered illegal under the Illicit Discharge Bylaw.

Examples of illicit discharges are:

  1. Sanitary wastewater from crushed or collapsed pipes or surcharges.
  2. Direct septic connections into the storm drain system.
  3. Overflow from septic tanks, commercial car wash wastewater.
  4. Laundry wastewater.
  5. Improper disposal of automobile and household products.

The following exceptions are not considered illicit discharges:

  1. Water line flushing
  2. Landscape irrigation
  3. Diverted stream flows
  4. Rising or outbreaking groundwater
  5. Uncontaminated pumped groundwater (includes clean sump pump discharges)
  6. Potable water source discharges
  7. Foundation drains
  8. Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges
  9. Stormwater runoff from streets and sidewalks