Illicit Discharge

An Illicit discharge is any discharge coming from any land use that is not composed entirely of stormwater and entering the stormwater management system. These pollutants enter directly into creeks, streams, ponds and lakes. Understanding illicit discharges can help prevent water pollution and keep our streams and river clean!

To report potential illicit discharges, improper disposals, spills to the MS4, complaints regarding land disturbing activities, or other potential stormwater concerns please see the table below for contact information.

Report Illicit Discharge:

If this is an emergency or a situation needs immediate response, please call 911 immediately!


Illicit Discharge, Improper Disposal, Spills to the MS4 or Other Potential Stormwater Pollution Concerns	434-455-4250
Complaints Regarding Land Disturbing Activities Lynchburg Community Development	434-455-3900

What is an illicit discharge?
What is not an illicit discharge?
What are some examples of illicit discharges?
What information should be reported when calling in an illicit discharge?
Is yard waste an illicit discharge?
Where can used motor oil be thrown away?
Is water from swimming pools considered an illicit discharge?
What is an illicit connection?
What is the penalty for violators?

The Virginia Department of Health regulates septic systems. Failing septic systems have a negative impact on water quality and human health. For more information on how to properly maintain your septic system, visit the Virginia Department of Health page or contact them directly at 804-864-7470.

Remember, ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN!

What is an illicit discharge?
An illicit discharge is an unlawful act of disposing, dumping, spilling, emitting, or other discharge of any substance other than stormwater into the stormwater drainage system. The stormwater drainage system includes streets, ditches, catch basins, yard inlets, street inlets, storm drains and streams.

What is not an illicit discharge?
There are exceptions to the Illicit Discharge Ordinance. Below are some examples:

Firefighting runoff
Lawn watering
Pumping of uncontaminated groundwater
Residential car washing
Properties holding a valid national pollution discharge elimination system (NPDES) or a valid Virginia pollution discharge elimination system (VPDES).

What are some examples of illicit discharges?
Per the City of Lynchburg Ordinance (Sec. 16.2-71) examples of illicit discharge include the following:

Paint being poured into or near the storm drain system
Changing oil or antifreeze over or near a storm structure
Dumping grease into the storm drain system

A complete list of non-permitted discharges can be found here City Code 16.2-71

What information should be reported when calling in an illicit discharge?
1. What time did you see the discharge?

It is important that illicit discharges are reported immediately so the person(s) responsible can be found and the discharge can be cleaned up and corrected as soon as possible. We want to respond as quickly as possible to prevent pollution to our environment.

2. Where did you see the discharge?

Please give us an address, intersection, business name, or landmark to help us quickly find the illicit discharge.

3. What do you think the discharge is?

Please let us know if you think it was a paint spill, oil spill, sewer leak, or another type of illicit discharge.
If possible, try and take a picture of the discharge.

Is yard waste an illicit discharge?
Large amounts of yard waste can actually become harmful to our streams and creeks. Dumping yard waste into the storm drain system can be considered a violation of Lynchburg’s Illicit Discharge Ordinance. However, if residents are collecting leaves together along their curb line for the seasonal leaf collection programs, this is an exception. For questions regarding yard waste disposal, please refer to http://www.lynchburgva.gov/trashcollection

Where can used motor oil be thrown away?
Used motor oil can be collected at the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days at the Region 2000 Landfill. For more information, please see http://www.lynchburgva.gov/hhw. Used motor oil can also be taken to most auto parts stores. Please contact your local store for more information.

Is water from swimming pools considered an illicit discharge?
Backwash and discharges from swimming pools are listed as an exception to the Illicit Discharge Ordinance provided there is less than 1.00 parts per million, of chlorine. If your pool was recently shocked, wait at least 7 days without adding anymore chemicals before draining your pool. Always test the water before draining to make sure your pool has dechlorinated.
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What is an illicit connection?
An illicit connection is an unlawful connection from the sanitary sewer system into the stormwater drainage system or directly into lakes and streams. Below are some examples:

Floor drains from inside a building going into the storm drain system instead of the sanitary system
A washing machine connection into a ditch or storm drain structure instead of the sanitary sewer system

What is the penalty for violators?
The City may issue Notices of Violation to offenders and fines may be issued depending on the severity of the violation. The City can impose fines, or civil penalties, up to $1,000 per day for each day the violation exists.

Resources for...
Mobile Car Washes
Residential Pool Owners