Spokane County and other local agencies work to protect our water resources – the streams, rivers, and lakes above ground as well as the aquifer beneath it – from illicit discharge. “Illicit discharge” is anything on the roads or in the storm sewer system that “is not composed entirely of stormwater” (there are certain specific exceptions, such as minimal runoff from lawn watering, emergency firefighting activities, and others listed in Spokane County Code 9.14.215).
Some examples of illicit discharge that have been seen by Spokane County employees include:
- pet waste dropped in a drywell,
- concrete washed into a swale,
- soapy car wash water flowing into a storm drain,
- motor oil leaks on the road and in the gutter, and
- paint poured into a storm drain inlet.
While it would be best if these illicit discharges never happen at all, rapid notification of a problem helps Spokane County employees minimize both the ecological impact and the financial burden to the community.
Reports of illicit discharge can be made to the Spokane County Stormwater Hotline: (509) 477-7525.