Illicit Discharge Program

The IDEP (Illicit Discharge) Program

The goal of the Illicit Discharge Elimination Program (IDEP) is to identify and eliminate sources of E. coli bacteria by collecting and testing water samples from our creeks, streams, rivers, road ditches, and drains.

What is an Illicit Discharge?

An illicit discharge is the release of wastewater or pollution entering a storm drain, waterway or ditch, such as:

• Failing septic systems
• Illegal dumping of oil or grass clippings
• Washing machine and dish washing water
• Sanitary sewer connected to a storm drain system
• Commercial or industrial chemical discharge, disposal or dumping

Why are illicit discharges a problem?

Illicit discharges contaminate our water with chemicals, diseases and bacteria that harm fish, wildlife and people. Many children like to play in small creeks and streams where many illicit discharges begin and the public swims at beaches where illicit discharges accumulate. Discharges are most problematic during and after a rainstorm commonly leading to summertime beach closures.

How is St. Clair County finding illicit discharges?

Once a suspicious problem is discovered, our Environmental Health Sanitarians take a photograph, take a GPS point, and test for E. coli. Once the source of the problem is pinpointed, the resident is notified as to what actions they need to take in order to correct the problem.

Who is responsible for correction of illicit discharges?

Responsibility for fixing illicit discharges may fall upon a city or township, the county or a resident. The St. Clair County Health Department has the responsibility and authority to ensure that corrections are made through the Environmental Health Code and the Drain Code, which make these discharges illegal.

Useful Links

• St. Clair County Beach Closures
• St. Clair County Health Department

See below examples of illicit discharges identified by our IDEP teams:

• Laundry Suds
• Grass Clippings
• Motor oil
• Salt
• Fertalizer
• Failing septic systems
• Leaves