- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Public Works
- Water & Sewer Utilities
- Stormwater Pollution
Stormwater Pollution
- What is stormwater?
-
The stormwater drainage system collects all rain that runs off a hard surface such as pavement and roof tops. This runoff, called stormwater, flows along the curb and gutter and then into a storm drain.
After entering the storm drain, stormwater is routed to the nearest pond, lake, or river. Anything that enters the stormwater drainage system besides rainfall is considered an illicit discharge and is a violation of the Town of Lady Lake and Lake County's Illicit Discharge Ordinance.
Grease, oils, yard debris and detergents have potential to cause fish kills and other biological degradation, and restrict recreational activities such as swimming and fishing. The purpose of the Illicit Discharge Ordinance is to protect public health, safety and welfare by controlling pollution in our waterways.
Do your part to protect our environment from these types of pollution. Follow these best management practices.
- What is an illicit discharge?
-
An illicit discharge is any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge to the storm drain system.
An illicit connection is any connection which allows non-stormwater to enter the storm drain system including sewage, wastewater and wash water.
Illicit discharges and connections are a violation of Town code.
- How do I report an illicit discharge?
-
To report an illicit discharge inside Town of Lady Lake, please call the Public Works Department at 352-751-1526, or Code Enforcement at 352-751-1562. In Lake County please call 352-516-0643.
- Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don't pour them onto the ground or into storm drains.
- Keep trash securely in its place.
- Clean up after your pets. This reduces bacteria contamination in waterways.
- Be a responsible boater. Keep your prop clear of vegetation and maintain engine in proper working order to avoid oil and gas leakage into the water.
- Keep septic tanks and drain fields away from the lake. Have your septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years.
- Properly maintain vehicles to avoid pollutants washing into the lake. Fix leaks quickly. Use quick dry materials to clean up oil spills.
- Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
- Mowing: Mow at the correct height for the type of sod.
- Grass clippings and leaves: Do not blow lawn clippings into the street or down the storm drain. Blow back onto the lawn or into a bed as free mulch fertilizer.
- Fertilize wisely: Minimize use of fertilizers. Use a slow release with a low or 0 middle number (phosphorus). Do not fertilize when a large rain event is expected and never within 10 feet of the water's edge.
- Good housekeeping: Don't leave excess fertilizer in the street or driveway. Sweep it up or blow it back onto the yard.
- Cleaning up spills: Use absorbent cleaning agents instead of water to clean work areas. Use dry methods for spill clean-up, i.e. sweeping. Keep dry absorbent materials nearby in case of a spill.
- Save the swales: Keep swales mowed and clear of blockages. Never fill in a swale.
- Storm drains: Keep drains free of debris and vegetation. Never put chemicals, lawn clippings, leaves, soil or other debris down the storm drain.
Landscape Management Responsibilities
- Equipment maintenance: Designate a special area to drain and replace motor oil, coolant and other fluids where there are no connections to the storm drain.
- Education and Training: Provide opportunities for employees to learn more about proper best management practices and protecting our waterways.
- Chemical Storage: Be sure chemicals are stored properly, i.e. off the ground, out of the rain, etc. Have a hazardous materials response plan and be sure all employees are capable of implementing each phase of the plan.
- Use integrated pest management practices to reduce the need for chemicals.
- Train employees to properly inspect irrigation systems. Know your clients' watering days.
- Provide information to employees on invasive plants and proper plants for shoreline areas.
Never allow an employee to remove shoreline vegetation without first determining the need for a permit.
- Pour all wash water from cleaning into the utility sink or wash sink. Never pour wash water down the storm drain.
- Keep the lid to the dumpster closed so that rain can't get in and leak out.
- Sweep around the dumpster daily and inspect for leaks.
- Dispose of grease or oil properly. Never dump down the storm drain or sanitary sewer.
- Keep lids closed on tallow bins and keep the area clean.
- Clean mops, mats, oily vents, trash cans, etc. in the utility sink or designated wash area. Never let this wash water flow down the storm drain.
- Never hose down a spill. Use dry clean-up methods for spills and keep absorbent materials handy. (e.g. dry mops, paper towels, kitty litter, etc.)
- Keep cleaning materials out of the rain and place in a covered area that is designed to prevent runoff.
Food Service Management Responsibilities
- Contact a hazardous waste hauler to dispose of grease bins.
- Have a hazardous materials response plan and be sure all employees are capable of implementing each phase of the plan.
- Check offsite drainage patterns. (Where is water coming onto and leaving the site?) Reduce flow by use of open vegetated swales and other nonstructural measures.
- If cleaning the parking lot is necessary, install proper measures to ensure wastewater and detergents do not enter the storm drain system.
- Report any spill immediately to Lake County Stormwater Division.
- When reporting a spill, be sure to include the location, date, type of spill and measures currently being taken to mitigate any damage.
- Do not pour liquid waste into floor drains, sinks, outdoor storm drain inlets. Do not dump mop water outside, instead, pour it into the floor drain or sink connected to the sanitary sewer system.
- Keep the lid to the dumpster closed so that rain can't get in and leak out. Sweep around the dumpster daily or sanitary sewer.
- Dispose of grease or oil properly. Never dump down the storm drain or sanitary sewer.
- Minimize use of solvents. Clean parts without solvents or use water-based solvents.
- Clean mops, mats, oily vents, trash cans, etc. in the utility sink or designated wash area. Never let this wash water flow down the storm drain.
- Never hose down a spill. Use dry clean-up methods for spills and keep absorbent materials handy. (e.g. dry mops, paper towels, kitty litter, etc.)
- Keep materials and hazardous waste out of the rain and place in a covered area that is designed to prevent runoff.
- Check gas pumps for spills. Keep dry absorbent near pumps in case of spills.
- Use only detergents containing no phosphates. Ensure waste water from the car wash area is captured and sent to the sanitary sewer.
Auto Service Management Responsibilities
- Designate a special area to drain and replace motor oil, coolant and other fluids where there are no connections to the storm drain.
- Contact a hazardous waste hauler to dispose of saturated absorbents.
- Have a hazardous materials response plan and be sure all employees are capable of implementing each phase of the plan.
- Check offsite drainage patterns. (Where is water coming onto and leaving the site?) Reduce flow by use of open vegetated swales and other nonstructural measures.
- If cleaning the parking lot is necessary, install proper measures to ensure wastewater and detergents do not enter the storm drain system.
- Report any spill immediately to Lake County Stormwater Division.
- When reporting a spill, be sure to include the location, date, time, type of spill and measures currently being taken to mitigate any damage.