Public Works-Storm Water Department
Brian Jenks
101 North Main Street
Room 127
Clinton, TN 37716
865-463-6870

ILLICIT/ILLEGAL DISCHARGES

One of the primary objectives of the Anderson County storm water program is to protect the water resources in Anderson County by regulating the types of discharges to the drainage system in order to protect the water quality of our surface water bodies (i.e. streams, creeks, rivers, lakes, etc.).  The following non-storm water discharges are permitted discharges in accordance with Section 1.4.2.3 of the TDEC Small MS4 General NPDES Permit (Permit No. TNS00000) unless the individual discharge has been determined to be a substantial contributor of pollutants to waters of the state or U.S. All other non-storm water discharges are prohibited unless the discharge is covered by a separate NPDES permit or has been determined (by TDEC) not to be a substantial contributor of pollutants to waters of the state or U.S.  Section 1.5 of the General Permit titled Limitations on Coverage should be reviewed to ensure that discharges from any proposed site development activities are in compliance with state requirements.  A copy of the TDEC general permit can be downloaded from the TDEC Water Pollution Control website at the following address:  http://www.state.tn.us/environment/wpc/. 

Permitted discharges

1.       Water line flushing;

2.       Landscape irrigation;

3.       Diverted stream flows or rising groundwater;

4.       Infiltration of uncontaminated groundwater [as defined in 40 CFR 35.2005 (20)];

5.       Pumping of uncontaminated groundwater;

6.       Discharges from potable water sources, foundation drains, uncontaminated air conditioning  condensate, irrigation waters, springs, water from crawl space or basement pumps, and footing drains;

7.       Lawn watering;

8.       Individual non-commercial car washing on residential properties; or car washing of less than two (2) consecutive days in duration for a charity, nonprofit fund raising, or similar commercial purpose;

9.       Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands;

10.   De-chlorinated swimming pool discharges;

11.   Incidental street wash water from street cleaning equipment designed fro cleaning paved surfaces and limiting waste discharges;

12.   Street deicing for public safety;

13.   Any activity authorized by a valid NPDES permit; and

14.   Any flows resulting from fire fighting operations.

Notification of Spills and Illicit Discharges

As soon as any person has knowledge of any illicit discharges to the Anderson County storm water system, such person shall immediately notify the Anderson County Public Works Department.  If such person is directly or indirectly responsible for such discharge or responsible for the operation of the system or business, then such person shall also take immediate action to ensure the containment and cleanup.  A report shall be prepared and submitted to the Public Works Department within three (3) calendar days.  At a minimum, the written report shall include:

1.       Date and time of the discharge

2.       Location of the discharge

3.       Material or substance discharged

4.       Duration and rate of flow

5.       Total volume discharged

6.       Total volume recovered

7.       Cause or reason for the discharge

8.       Remediation and containment action taken

9.       Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) for the discharged material

10.   Action taken to prevent further discharges

11.   Description of any environmental impact

Illegal Dumping

It shall be illegal for any person to intentionally dump liquids or solids that are considered EPA priority pollutants on the ground where there is a potential for exposure to rain or storm water runoff and the potential for the pollutant to reach a public or private storm water drainage system.

Reporting Illicit Discharges

Suspected illicit or illegal discharges or dumping should be reported to:

Anderson County Department of Public Works

100 North Main Street, Suite 127

County Courthouse

Clinton, TN 37716

Phone:  865-457-6244

Illicit discharges may also be reported electronically using the report menu shown on the storm water home page.

Report illegal sewer or septic systems to the Department of Public Works or the Anderson County Health Department.  The Anderson County Health Department is located at:

            Anderson County Health Department

            141 Broad Street

            Clinton, TN 37717

            Phone:  865-463-8499