Illicit Discharge and Improper Disposal

Illicit Discharge and Improper Disposal – Public Reporting

The City of Oakland Park’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requires a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges and improper disposal (IDID) to reduce pollutants discharged to surface waters. The MS4, also known as the storm drainage system, was designed to convey runoff from rain from the land to surface waters.

What is an IDID?

Intentional or unintentional release of non-stormwater materials that may enter the storm drainage system by dumping, pouring, throwing, spilling, abandoning, negligent storage, or through an illicit connection.

How to report an IDID

Note the exact address or specific location of any illegal discharges or dumping in stormwater drains, canals, or right-of-ways by contacting Public Works (954-630-4430 or off hours at 954-561-6275) or the Broward Sheriff’s Office 954-764-4357.

Examples of IDID

  • Improper disposal of vehicle fluids and toxic wastes including motor oil, household hazardous wastes, and pesticides
  • Fats, oils, and grease (FOG)
  • Inappropriate disposal of grass clippings, leaf litter, pet wastes
  • Liquid wastes such as oil, paint, process wastewater (such as radiator flushing wastewater, plating bath wastewater, etc.)
  • Saltwater and chlorinated swimming pool water
  • Gray water – residential and commercial laundry wastewater, commercial carwash wastewater, fleet washing wastewater, and floor washing wastewater
  • Sewage and septic tank effluent
  • Floatable debris including but not limited to street litter, medical items, debris from industrial activities, sewage-related items, waste from boats, and fishing equipment
  • Unpermitted non-contact cooling tower discharge
  • Discharge from improper outdoor material storage (e.g., sand, dirt, mulch, salt, other chemicals, etc.)

What you can do to protect your property and the environment

  • Maintain any private drainage structures on your property
  • Quickly dispose of trash and other solid waste so that it does not run off onto stormwater grates, especially if heavy rains are in the forecast
  • Maintain your swales (strip of land in front of your home and adjacent to street). Well-maintained swales and lawns increase percolation during a rain event, reducing flooding and improving the quality of stormwater runoff
  • Do not plant trees or shrubs in swale areas. Keep your swale and stormwater grates free of debris such as leaves, limbs, and other vegetation
  • Be stingy with fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Using more than you need or applying before a big rain event can cause excessive nutrient and toxic chemical flows into our waterways
  • Do not litter – it can wind up in the stormwater grates and pipes. Accumulated litter slows the movement of stormwater, and increases flooding and stormwater maintenance costs. Litter also pollutes receiving waters
  • Appropriately dispose of hazardous materials the can contaminate surface and groundwater (e.g. motor oil, paint, refrigerants, pesticides, industrial chemicals and detergents). These should never be placed into storm grates
  • Minimize vehicle parking time on swales to allow grass to grow and the soil to stay loose and able to percolate