What Can You Do?
You can help minimize illicit discharges by disposing of waste in a proper manner.
•	Take used motor oil to a participating oil recycling center.
•	Follow label directions regarding container disposal of cleaners.
•	Compost yard waste or bag and dispose using solid waste collection programs.
•	Report any illicit discharge to the City.

Important Take Home Points
•	What we do on land affects the quality of the water we drink and use.
•	Natural materials such as soil, leaves, grass clippings, and pet waste can cause water pollution.
•	Do not feed waterfowl or geese. It not only pollutes the water, but is detrimental to their health.
•	Waste dumped into storm sewers goes into the river without treatment.
•	Automobiles and other vehicles cause water pollution as well as air pollution.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

TOGETHER WE CAN STOP
ILLICIT DISCHARGING

Swimming Pools and Spas

•	Swimming pools should only be drained

when a test kit does not detect chlorine levels.
•	A pool, whenever possible, should be drained into a  sanitary sewer system.
•	Pool and spa
chemicals should be stored
properly to prevent leaks and spills, preferably in a covered area to avoid exposure to stormwater.

YOU CAN HELP!
Please report illicit discharges by calling the City of Norwich Engineering Department  at (860) 823-3798.
The City of Norwich is in the process of adopting a new Illicit Discharge Ordinance. Violators will be fined.

City of Norwich Public Works Engineering
50 Clinton Avenue, Norwich, CT (860) 823-3798

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What is an illicit discharge?
An illicit, or illegal dischage is any disposal, emptying or dumping of any substance other than rainfall into the storm water drainage system or into the ground system. The accidental spill or leakage of a harmful substance is also an illicit discharge.

Examples of Illicit Discharge:
•	Sanitary waste water
•	Septic tank effluent
•	Car wash waste water
•	Motor oil/fuel disposal
•	Radiator flushing disposal
•	Laundry waste water
•	Pesticides and herbicides
•	Auto and household toxics disposal
•	Leaves, grass clippings and yard waste

Investigating a Complaint
City staff will conduct investigations and will monitor sites when a complaint or concern
of illicit discharge is received from the public. Violators will be required to clean up the site or will be fined for the cost of the clean up and any inspections.

Six easy ways you can keep illicit discharges out of our waterways:
1.	Used oil, antifreeze, and batteries can be recycled. Clean up any spills immediately, using kitty litter or saw dust to absorb the spill. Be sure to sweep this up as well.
2.	Wash your car on the grass so that the water, detergent and dirt will be filtered by the soil. A better solution is to take your car to a commercial car wash, where the dirty water is sent to the wastewater treatment facility.

3.	Empty bottles of household cleaners, pesticides, and weed killer
should be disposed of according to label directions.
4.	Grass clippings in the street should be swept up after each mowing. Grass clippings left in the street will be washed into the storm sewers and end up in
the streams where they have the potential to cause algae problems.

5.	Many household products, including paint, paint thinner, and solvents can be taken to drop-off sites.  Paint brushes used with water based paint can be rinsed in the sink. If you have leftover paint in a can, and it is latex or water-based paint, you can fill
the can with kitty litter. Once the paint is absorbed it can be set out for trash pick up.

6.	When walking your pet, use a scooper and bag to pick up your
pet’s waste. In order to keep animal waste from contaminating
our community, anyone
walking a pet should properly dispose of waste by picking it up, wrapping it, and placing it in the trash or flushing it (unwrapped.)

REMEMBER...

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