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Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination
Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDD&E)
As per Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations, Lower Macungie Township is required to implement and administer a program for the detection, elimination, and prevention of illicit discharges into our regulated municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). Examples of illicit substances include (among other things):
- Automobile oil
- Chlorinated pool water
- Grease from restaurant grease traps
- Household chemical products
- Laundry wash water
- Paint
- Sanitary waste
- Septic system drainage
- Yard waste (including grass clippings)
Illicit discharges enter the system through either direct connections (e.g. wastewater piping either mistakenly or deliberately connected to the storm drains) or indirect connections (e.g. infiltration into the MS4 from cracked sanitary systems, spills collected by drain outlets, or paint or used oil dumped directly into a drain). The result is untreated discharges that contribute high levels of pollutants to receiving waterbodies, including:
- Bacteria
- Heavy metals
- Nutrients
- Oil and grease
- Solvents
- Toxics
- Viruses
Pollutant levels from these illicit discharges have been shown in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies to be high enough to significantly degrade receiving water quality and threaten aquatic, wildlife, and human health.
Reporting
If you witness a potential illicit discharge into waters of the Commonwealth or the municipal storm sewer system, please report the incident immediately. Hotlines are listed below. As time passes, it becomes increasingly difficult to trace the source of an event.
IDD&E Hotlines
If you witness a potential illicit discharge into waters of the Commonwealth, or any other event that could adversely affect water quality, please contact the Lehigh County Office of Emergency Services immediately. Once the incident has been reported to Lehigh County, we ask that you also contact the DEP Bethlehem District Office and/or Lower Macungie Township:
- DEP Bethlehem District Office: 610-861-2070
- Lehigh County Office of Emergency Services: 610-437-5252
- Lower Macungie Township: 610-966-4343
Erosion & Sediment (E&S) Control Hotline
If the stormwater is "cloudy" or "dirty" and originates from an area of active earth disturbance, you will receive the quickest response by calling the Lehigh County Conservation District. The Conservation District is responsible for investigating erosion and sediment control concerns relating to active construction sites on behalf of the Township. Please provide your name, address, telephone number, and the specific location of the origin of the sediment laden runoff:
- Lehigh County Conservation District: 610-391-9583
Illicit Discharge Video
Fun video detailing illicit discharge hosted by the City of Greenville, SC.