Protect Water Quality

What is an illicit activity?

Ways to reduce illicit activities

How to report an illicit activity

Tallahassee and Leon County are beautiful places to live, work and play. Majestic trees. Canopy roads. Gorgeous streams and lakes. The entire community takes pride in our environment and strives to protect its quality. Maintaining a quality environment is no small task, especially when it comes to our surface water resources. The City of Tallahassee and Leon County are working together, with citizens and businesses, to protect these valuable water resources.

Perhaps one of the greatest threats to our surface water resources is pollutants in stormwater runoff. Simply stated, stormwater runoff is the water that flows over the land during and immediately after a rainstorm. As this water flows, it collects all kinds of things from sediment and leaves to pesticides and automobile fluids. These contaminants can have a dramatic effect on our wildlife, fish, plants and surface water quality.

The City and County have received separate National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) municipal stormwater permits. Part of the NPDES Permit requires a Stormwater Management Program which prohibits harmful pollutants from entering our stormwater systems. This, in turn, reduces the amount of pollutants entering our local surface water resources. Although the program works well, we need your help to make it better. The most effective way to help is by eliminating illicit activities.

Illicit activities are those which intentionally or accidentally introduce pollutants into our stormwater systems. Illicit discharge, dumping, spills and connections pose a great risk to our water resources. Fortunately, most of these illicit activities can be prevented in both residential and commercial areas.

ILLICIT ACTIVITIES

Illicit Discharge - Any liquid, not composed entirely of stormwater, that is introduced into a stormwater system. Examples include solvents, vehicle fluids, fuels, paints, household products or chlorinated swimming pool water.

Illicit Dumping - Unloading or disposal of solid, semi-solid or liquid substances near or into a stormwater system. Examples include motors, containers, grass clippings and leaves.

Illicit Spills - Any intentional or accidental spill of solid, semi-solid or liquid substances into or adjacent to a stormwater system. Examples include fluids from vehicles, chemicals from drums or storage tanks, used oil, paint containers or fertilizer.

Illicit Connections – Any man-made conveyance which connects non-stormwater discharges directly to a stormwater system. These illicit conveyances are located either above or below the ground and may include drains, pipes or ditches.

WAYS TO REDUCE ILLICIT ACTIVITIES

Homeowners

• Dispose of household chemicals properly at designated collection sites.

• Follow label directions on pesticide and fertilizer containers and dispose of properly.

• Use yard waste as mulch or dispose of properly by bagging or composting leaves and grass clippings.

• Recycle approved containers.

• Maintain septic systems.

• De-chlorinate swimming pool water before discharging.

Businesses

• Properly store and dispose of substances used in commercial processes.

• Landscape to prevent excessive runoff and erosion.

• Maintain privately owned stormwater ponds.

• Learn and comply with local environmental ordinances.

With your help, we can protect and preserve the valuable surface water resources of Tallahassee and Leon County. Should you have any questions or would like to obtain more information, call 891-6860 in the City or 606-1500 in Leon County. After all, this is our town. Our home. Our future. Together we can protect our water.

Please prevent or report any illicit activities you may see by calling 891-0000 in the City or 891-1002 in Leon County