This image shows a person collecting a water sample from an outfall
Image of a person collecting a water sample from an outfall

Introduction

In Minnesota, our storm sewer systems carry water directly to our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. This water does not go to a treatment plant before entering our surface water. To maintain fishable, swimmable, and drinkable water and prevent pollution from entering our waterbodies, only stormwater should enter a storm sewer system. If anything else, such as oil, chemicals, or sediment, enters the system it is usually an illicit discharge. Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 3 of the MS4 General Permit requires permittees to develop and implement a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges within their storm sewer system.

MS4 General Permit requirements for MCM 3

The illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE) program must include:

  • A map of the MS4 that includes all pipes 12 inches or greater and their flow direction; outfalls, including the unique identifier and geographic coordinates; municipally owned or operated structural stormwater best management practices (BMPs); and all receiving waters.
  • A regulatory mechanism to prohibit illicit discharges.
  • The incorporation of illicit discharge detection into all municipal operation inspection and maintenance activities, such as those conducted on ponds, outfalls, and other structural stormwater BMPs. These inspections should be conducted during dry weather, when possible.
  • Detecting and tracking the source of illicit discharges using visual inspections.
  • Training of all field staff on illicit discharge recognition.
  • Identifying priority areas likely to have illicit discharges by evaluating land uses associated with business and industrial activities, areas where illicit discharges have been observed in the past, areas with storage of large quantities of materials that could result in an illicit discharge. These locations should have additional illicit discharge inspections.
  • Procedures for investigating, locating, and eliminating the source of illicit discharges.
  • Spill response procedures. These procedures must include the requirement to notify the Minnesota Duty Officer.
  • Enforcement Response Procedures to compel compliance with the illicit discharge prohibition regulatory mechanism.
  • Documentation as required here.

Resources

Click on the blue links above in the "MS4 General Permit requirements" section to get more information and resources specific to those permit requirements. In addition, all resources related to MCM 3 are below.

Fact sheets and guidance

Fact sheets and guidance documents should provide background information and tips to inform your approach to implementing MCM 3 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination.

Model language

Fill in the blanks and adopt ordinance language that meets the regulatory mechanism requirements for MCM 3 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination.

Documentation and tracking templates

Documentation and tracking templates are examples that local stormwater staff are currently using to meet the MS4 General Permit requirements for MCM 3 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination.

Example procedures

Example procedures are those that local stormwater staff are currently using to meet the MS4 General Permit requirements for MCM 3 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination.

Training tools

Below are examples, tools, or other resources to jump-start your illicit discharge detection and elimination training program.

Checklists

These checklists can be used to meet the MS4 General Permit requirement for incorporating illicit discharge inspections into municipal inspections.