​Pollutants that enter our local waterways through the storm drain system affect water quality, make swimming potentially unsafe, and impair fish habitat. These pollutants can be absorbed by fish possibly making their consumption harmful. Dumping anything, accidentally or purposely, into a gutter, ditch, or storm drain is illegal and violators can be issued civil penalties. These illegal actions are known as Illicit Discharges.
Illicit Discharge Examples
Dumping household chemicals
Dumping leaves and yard waste
Dumping motor oil
Sanitary waste water (sewage)
Car wash waste waters
Litter and garbage
Pet waste
Sediment from construction sites
What Can you do?
Dispose of paint cleaners and other household chemicals according to label directions
When at home, wash your car so that wastewater drains to grass, not the storm drain system
Promptly clean up after your pet
Recycle used motor oil at participating centers
Vegetate bare areas to reduce soil erosion
Illicit Discharge Detection And Elimination (IDDE)
To Improve our water quality and to stay in compliance with state and federal regulations, the City of Billings has adopted an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits pollutants from entering our local waters, regulates connections to the storm sewer systems, and outlines enforcement procedures and penalities.
To report an illicit discharge, please contact: 406-247-8517