Storm Water Quality Management & MS4

Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE)

Illicit discharges are generally any discharge into a storm drain system that is not composed of entirely of storm water. Illicit discharges are a problem because storm water generally flows to waterways without any additional treatment. Illegal discharges are defined in the City of Hobart municipal code (Chapter 152) as anything that causes or contributes to pollution.

Examples of illicit discharges include:

  • Spills that may contain containments harmful to the environment
  • Uncontrolled, muddy construction runoff
  • Improper disposal of oil, pesticides, dirt, fertilizer, and other materials
  • Dumping of any kind in to the street or into the storm drain
  • Floor drain or household grey-water drain (laundry or sink drain) that is connected to a storm drain
  • A septic tank discharge pipe that is connected to a storm drain or drains directly into a waterway or an improper connection between a storm sewer and sanitary sewer

Report the following items immediately:

  • Oily sheen or colored liquids
  • Chemical or sewage smell
  • Foam

Spills happen and we can help clean them up, but intentional discharging is illegal and harmful to our streams and lakes. If you see activities that threaten the health of the local waterways, report it to the City of Hobart via our online Water Quality Web link: http://operation-ms4.com/ms4_V4.0/locateinquiry.php?AUTHORITY=CITYOFHOBART or in person at the HSD/Engineering office located at City Hall.

Note: For issues that may require immediate attention by city staff after regular business hours, please notify the Hobart Police Department.

City staff understands the need for confidentiality, so reports can be anonymous.

TIP! If possible, collect as much information as you can about the spill/incident, including date and time, a description of what you observed, including potential quantity dumped, and a few photos, which will help City Staff identify the problem and determine the most appropriate plan of action.

Improving Storm Water Quality

Residents can help alleviate storm water pollution in several ways:

  • Practice dry cleanup methods when cleaning your driveway or sidewalk. Use cat litter to soak up leaked oil, which can then be thrown away in the trash once dry.
  • Use phosphorus-free lawn fertilizers. Phosphorous runoff from lawns encourages algae growth in our lake.
  • Clean up immediately after your pets and throw the waste into the trash or in the toilet.
  • Dispose of lawn waste in compost piles and use a mulching mower.
  • Increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces to reduce polluted runoff.
  • Do not wash cars, RVs, or boats at home because the detergent laden water runs into storm drains and then into our waterways.Use a full or self service car wash when practical.

Storm Water Quality Management

Permits, Developer Instructions, and Post BMP’s

The purpose of storm water management control is to reduce the pollutants from storm water runoff that originates from construction and post construction activities. The City of Hobart is required to have procedures for plan review of construction plans that consider potential water quality impacts.

The City of Hobart requires construction site operators to develop a storm water pollution prevention plan, or SWPPP, for their storm water discharges.A SWPPP is broader in scope than an erosion and sediment control plan or site plan.

The SWPPP requires post-construction storm water control measures to be submitted and approved as part of the site review construction plans. Post-Construction Narratives are required before completion of the project. The narrative describes the maintenance guidelines for all post-construction storm water quality measures to facilitate their proper long-term function.

For information regarding application requirements, please contact the MS4 Coordinator at 219-942-3619