| PROGRAM GOAL: To protect and improve Lake County’s water resources by reducing storm water pollution.
PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY: In partnership with the Lake County Stormwater Management Department, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, the Lake County Board of Health’s role in the federally mandated US EPA Phase II storm water program is to visually screen and test storm water outfalls and eliminate any illicit discharges or illegal connections to the storm water system.
Minimum control measures of the Phase II program include:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation/Involvement
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Control Measure:
An illicit discharge is “any discharge to a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) that is not composed entirely of storm water.” Examples include:
- Illegal/improper connections of liquid wastes to the storm sewer system
- Malfunctioning sewage systems
- Improper handling of recreational sewage
- Improper disposal of solid wastes in storm water system/streams
Detection and Elimination of Illicit Discharges:
- Storm sewer maps have been created that indicate the locations of all storm water outfalls
- A plan has been implemented to detect and eliminate non-storm water discharges
- Education of the public concerning illegal and improper disposal/discharge of liquid and solid wastes
- A model Illicit Discharge and Illegal Connection ordinance has been created containing a prohibition of non-storm water discharges into the MS4 and appropriate enforcement procedures and actions
- Visual screening is used in the evaluation of the quality of discharge water to the MS4, utilizing field tests and meters when available
- Water quality sampling includes parameters of fecal coliform, nutrients, heavy metals, oil & grease, total dissolved solids as needed based on indicators resulting from visual screening
- Internal inspections with dye testing to detect improper disposal/discharge of sewage and other non-storm water (Ex: residential and commercial businesses)
Education of Public on Illicit Discharges:
Provide workshops, town meetings or participate in community events to educate public, both residential and commercial/businesses on water quality impacts from illicit discharges
Provide educational written materials/brochures, newsletters, etc., covering topics such as proper disposal of household or commercial hazardous substances, proper maintenance of sewage treatment systems, proper disposal of solid waste as it pertains to water quality for both residential and commercial businesses
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