Illicit Discharge

Overview

Pollutants that enter our local waterways through the storm drain system affect water quality, make swimming potentially unsafe, and impair fish habitat. These pollutants can be absorbed by fish possibly making their consumption harmful.  Dumping anything, accidentally or purposely, into a gutter, ditch, or storm drain is illegal and violators can be issued civil penalties.  These illegal actions are known as Illicit Discharges. 

Illicit Discharge Examples drain

Some examples of illicit discharge include household chemicals, leaves and yard waste, motor oil, sanitary waste water (sewage), car wash waste water, litter and garbage, pet waste, sediment from construction sites, etc.

What Can you do? 

  • Follow the Dos & Don'ts on our Illicit Discharge Brochure
  • Follow label directions when disposing paint cleaners and other household chemicals
  • Wash your car so that wastewater drains to grass, not the storm drain system
  • Promptly clean up after your pet
  • Vegetate bare areas to reduce soil erosion
  • Recycle used motor oil at participating centers such as the Billings Regional Landfill

Illicit Discharge Detection And Elimination (IDDE)

To Improve our water quality and to stay in compliance with state and federal regulations, the City of Billings has adopted an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Ordinance.  This ordinance prohibits pollutants from entering our local waters, regulates connections to the storm sewer  systems, and outlines enforcement procedures and penalties. The latest Billings IDDE and Stormwater Enforcement Response Plan are available.  

To report an illicit discharge, please contact: 406-247-8517