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- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
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The Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program manages liquid pollution and stormwater runoff. This critical work is required by State and Federal legislation.
Illicit discharges are materials like used oil, "trash juice" from dumpsters, chemicals, or other hazardous materials draining into the stormwater sewer system, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Stormwater runoff results from precipitation flowing over non-abosorbant surfaces like streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. The runoff can convey pollutants into the storm drain system and directly to our waterways.
There are three main components to how we identify this pollution: citizen reports, hotspot investigations, and outfall screenings.
We rely on you to help us identify any illegal discharges, dumping, or spills!
If you notice any spill or discharge of a suspected hazardous or harmful nature, please notify 911 immediately.
If it is not an emergency, the preferred method to report an issue is to use the County's reporting tool FCG FixIt, which will allow you to map the location and provide photos if desired. Alternatively, you may contact via:
These investigations are friendly visual surveys of commercial and industrial areas around Frederick County to ensure business are not contributing to stormwater runoff pollution and creating "hotspots". Frederick County focuses on facilities related to vehicle maintenance operations, restaurants, and construction material wholesalers. The investigations evaluate facilities in regards to vehicle operations (if any), outdoor material storage, waste management, and overall housekeeping procedures.
Our team identifies outfalls (the open end of pipes along a storm drain system) that have water or liquid flowing when it has not rained within the last 72 hours. This is considered dry-weather flow, and is indicative of a potential illicit discharge. Samples of the liquid are tested for a variety of chemicals in order to isolate a source. Once the source is documented, whether a business or a homeowner, the appropriate actions are taken to cease the discharge and ensure proper cleanup.