Illicit discharges and connections allow contaminated wastewater into our local waterways without receiving any treatment. Such activities may be intentional, but also may be unknown to the property owner. For example, a home or business may have a sanitary sewer line connected to the storm system, allowing waste water from toilets and taps to discharge, untreated, into our waterways. Washing a car or cleaning paintbrushes in the driveway or street can send suds and chemicals into the storm drains that connect to rivers and streams. Dumping RV waste or household chemicals directly into a drain is another example of illegal activity that can harm our shared waterways.
Illicit Discharges are defined as follows: Any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge to Okaloosa County's MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System), and a storm drain with measurable flow during dry weather.
Illegal Connections are define as follows: Any pipe, open channel, drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows an illicit discharge to enter the storm drain system including but not limited to any conveyances which allow any non-stormwater discharge including, sewage, process wastewater, and wash water to enter the storm drain system, regardless of whether such pipe, open channel, drain or conveyance has been previously allowed, permitted, or approved by an authorized enforcement agency; or b) Any pipe, open channel, drain or conveyance connected to Okaloosa County's separate storm sewer system which has not been documented in plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by an authorized enforcement agency.
Both illicit discharges and illegal connections violate County Ordinance 11-16. Violators are subject to substantial penalties as provided by Florida Statutes Chapter 162. The Okaloosa County Code Enforcement officers are empowered to enforce the Ordinance on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners.
What Can You Do About Illicit Discharges?
You can help keep our lakes, rivers, bayous, bays, streams, wetlands, and groundwater clean by applying the following tips:
Illicit Discharge Education
Report Illicit Discharges
If you see someone dumping something into a storm drain or see a direct connection to the stormwater system that may convey a pollutant you are encouraged to report it. You can do this by contacting the Okaloosa County Stormwater Division at 850-689-5772 or you can CLICK HERE and fill out a form.
North Stormwater Division
1759 S. Ferdon Blvd
Crestview, Florida 32536
Phone: (850) 689-5772
Fax: (850) 689-5715
Email
Rob Vandenbroeck
Chief
Phone: (850) 689-5770
Justin Harper
Operations Manager
Phone: (850) 689-5770
Email
302 N. Wilson St. - Suite 302
Crestview, FL 32536
1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 100
Shalimar, FL 32579
Call 850-689-5050 or 850-423-1542 for all departments.