The goal of the Illicit Discharge Elimination Program (IDEP) is to identify and eliminate sources of E. coli bacteria by collecting and testing water samples from our creeks, streams, rivers road ditches, and drains.

In May 2002, IDEP teams began walking and boating along drains and waterways searching for locations of suspected illicit discharges (illegal sanitary sewer connections, failing septic systems, or animal waste).

2003 Program Summary
Over a 2 1/2 year period, the St. Clair County Health Department has identified 295 failing septic systems within the Anchor Bay and Pine River Watersheds. Property owners have corrected 49% of these systems through major and minor repairs. This effort has removed 6.9 million gallons of wastewater from surface waters annually. This in turn has eliminated thousands of pounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, oils, and solids from reaching surface waters in Anchor Bay and the Pine River. An additional 7.2 million gallons of wastewater will be eliminated annually once the remaining systems are corrected.

Overall, the St. Clair County Health Departmen's IDEP program is considered a great success. The number of failing septic systems found and corrected and the amount of pollutants eliminated proves that it was an effective and worthwhile project. Through the hiring and training of two full-time IDEP staff, and the continuation of another MDEQ grant, makes this program economically feasible and successful. With the new grant, the Health Department will continue this program for the remaining watersheds in the County: Lake Huron, St. Clair River, Black River, Mill Creek, Belle River and the North Branch of the Clinton River watersheds.

24-HOUR WATER QUALITY HOTLINE
We need your help! Be an alert observer! Report suspicious discharges, failing septic systems, and suspicious dumpings. The quicker we find these problems, the more efficiently we move toward cleaner water for everyone to enjoy. Help us - help you.
(810) 987-7253
1-877-504-SWIM
Email

What is an Illicit Discharge?
An illicit discharge is the release of untreated wastewater entering a storm drain, waterway or ditch. An illicit connection is when a pipe intended for a sanitary sewer ends up in a storm drain. An illicit connection creates an illicit discharge.

Examples of Illicit Discharges:
• Failing septic systems
• Illegal dumping of oil or grass clippings
• Washing machine and dish washing water
• Sanitary sewer connected to a storm drain
• Commercial or industrial chemical discharge

Are illicit discharges a problem?
Illicit discharges may contaminate our waterways with chemicals, communicable diseases and bacteria that harm fish, wildlife and people when they contact the affected water. Many children like to play in small waterways where many illicit discharges begin and the public swims at beaches where illicit discharges drain and accumulate. Discharges most commonly drain during and after a rainstorm commonly leading to summertime beach closures in St. Clair County.

How will St. Clair County find Illicit Discharges?
In May of 2002, teams of inspectors began walking storm drains and waterways looking for illicit discharges. Once a suspicious outlet is discovered, they photograph the outlet, plot the exact location into a Geographical Information System, and test for E. coli and other chemical characteristics. Once the source of the problem is pinpointed, the resident will be notified as to what actions they need to take in order to correct the problem.

Who is responsible for correction of illicit discharges?
Responsibility for fixing illicit discharges may fall upon local units of government, a County agency, or an individual resident. St. Clair County has responsibility and authority to ensure that corrections are made through the Environmental Health Code and the Drain Code, which make these discharges illegal.

Photographs of failing septic systems and other illicit discharges (manure, grass clippings, paint, oil) identified in St. Clair County by the IDEP team.