NCS000515_China Grove Illicit Discharge Brochure_20200921

OVERVIEW
• What is Illicit Discharge?
An illicit discharge is the release of
pollutants or non-stormwater materials to
the stormwater system. The result is
untreated discharges that contribute high
levels of pollutants including heavy metals,
toxins, oil and grease, solvents, viruses,
and bacteria to receiving waters.
• What is China Grove doing
about illicit discharges?
In 2011, China Grove adopted an
ordinance to establish quality management
and discharge control. Town staff
investigate reported illicit connections and
improper discharges to the Town's
stormwater system.
• Remember...
What we do on land affects the quality of
water we drink and use in so many ways.
Many small sources of pollution add up to
cause big water quality problems. Natural
things such as soil, leaves, grass clippings,
and pet waste can cause water pollution.
Waste dumped into storm sewers goes into
creeks, rivers and lakes without treatment.
Automobiles and other vehicles cause
water pollution as well as air pollution.
Everyone can make a difference!
704.857.2466
Call to Report an
Illicit Discharize!
Y
• How do I report an illicit dis-
charge?
To report an illicit discharge in Town, please
call 704.857.2466 ext. 1o6 or email storm-
[e-mail]. Many environmen-
tal problems can be improved and resolved as
a result of these investigations. You can make
a difference!
• What do I say when I call?
1) Your name and contact information
2) Location of the incident
3) Date and time you witnessed the incident
4) General description of activity and mate-
rials involved
• What happens after I call?
Town staff will investigate and follow standard
operating procedures.
Illicit
Discharge
40 6
CH NAGROVE
STORMWATER
An original town.
Stormwater Management
Program
333 North Main Street
China Grove, NC 28023
704.857.2466
stormwater@c inagrovenc.gov

r oil
1
—Basin
utlets at the
astewater
Treatment Plant
Outlets to the nearest
Creek or River
Two Systems
The stormwater system is often
confused with the sanitary sewer
system. In China Grove, these are
two distinctly separate systems.
Flows to the sanitary sewer system
(e.g. flushing toilets, shower drains,
kitchen sink drains, roof drains,
etc.) are treated by Salisbury Rowan
Utilities. SRU has two treatment
facilities: Grant Creek and Town
Creek Wastewater Treatment
Plants.
Flows to the stormwater system
(through curb drains on the edge of
the street, stormwater yard inlets,
etc.) usually go to the nearest creek
or stream and do not receive
treatment at a plant.
How can I help prevent
discharges into storm drains?
• Use pesticides, herbicides and
fertilizers occasionally and away from
storm drains and ditches.
• Do not pour household cleaners, oil,
antifreeze, paint, etc... on driveways,
streets, or into storm drains and
ditches. Take them to collection
centers.
• Do not blow leaves, grass clippings &
mulch into storm drains. Compost
away from storm drain.
• Pick up litter and trash near storm
drains or streams.
• Do not store or expose materials to
rain that could "wash -off' into storm
drains or streets.
• When walking your pet use a bag or
use a scooper to clean up your pet's
waste. In order to keep animal waste
from contaminating our community,
anyone who walks a pet should
properly dispose of waste by picking it
up, wrapping it, and either placing it
into the trash or flushing it
UNWRAPPED!
• Wash your car on the grass so that the
water, detergent, and dirt will be
filtered by the soil. Better yet, take
your car to a commercial car wash,
where the dirty water is sent to the
wastewater treatment plant.
Where does stormwater go?
Sewer pipes and stormwater pipes are
not connected! Stormwater flows back
out into natural bodies of water, not into
treatment plants. In China Grove, storm
drainage eventually drains to one of
three main creeks: Grants, Town and
Cold Water Creek. Grants and Town
Creek drain to the Yadkin River and to
High Rock Lake. Cold Water Creek drain
to Buffalo Creek and into the Rocky
River.
What problems does
stormwater cause?
Problems caused in water bodies may
include erosion/sedimentation,
turbidity, eutrophication, increased
salinity and habitat disruption.
Eutrophication results from excess plant
nutrients (nitrogen & phosphorous —
found in many fertilizers) causing an
overgrowth of algae, leading to decreased
oxygen levels in surface waters. This
creates problems for aquatic life.
The Town of China Grove Drain Markers