Stormwater Violations/Illicit Discharge

Report Stormwater Violations

  • Load the “Ames on the Go” app and add a New Request (Use "Storm Drain" category).

Or contact:

  • City of Ames Public Works Department
    515-239-5160 (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
  • City of Ames Water and Pollution Control
    515-239-5150 (after hours)

City of Ames Illicit Discharge Ordinance(PDF, 180KB)

Report Chemical Spills 24-Hours a Day

City of Ames Fire Department
515-239-5109

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Emergency Response Unit
515-281-8694

EPA National Response Center
1-800-424-8802

What is illicit discharge?

Illicit discharge is any illegal discharge into a storm sewer system or a waterway that is not comprised entirely of stormwater. Common examples of illicit discharge are:

  • An uncontrolled industrial activity
  • of prohibited discharges include:
  • Improper oil disposal or oil leaks
  • Improper trash disposal
  • Improper disposal of concrete construction wash water
  • Grass clippings/leaves left in the street
  • Commercial car wash wastewater
  • Gasoline, solvents
  • Anti-freeze
  • Paints
  • Soaps and detergents (including from washing cars)
  • Sewage
  • Hazardous or toxic chemicals
  • A variety of other sources which pollute water with turbidity, excess nutrients, and bacteria.
  • Dumping of liquids into yard or floor drains
  • Dumping any refuse into storm drain inlets or drainage ways.

Anything that goes into a storm sewer eventually ends up in a river or creek. Know where all floor or yard drains discharge to prior to dumping into them. Occasionally drain lines connected to storm sewers when they should be tied into the sanitary sewer.

How is the City managing illicit discharges?

To detect illicit discharges, inspections of storm sewer outfalls are performed by the City’s Public Works Department. When a problem is identified in the system, city staff investigate to determined the source and the responsible party is notified and required to discontinue the discharge to the storm sewer and clean up the impacted area.

Proper Yard Care, Oil Changes and Car Washing

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Information

Additional Information

For more information about what can be discharged into a sanitary sewer, contact:

City of Ames Water and Pollution Control
515-239-5150

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wastewater Division
515-281-8877

EPA Region 7 Environmental Services Division
913-551-7800

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