An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge to the municipal separate storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except for discharges allowed under an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit or waters used for firefighting operations. These non-discharges occur due to illegal connections to the storm drain system from commercial establishments. As a result of these illicit connections, contaminated wastewater enters into storm drains or directly into local waterways without receiving treatment from a wastewater treatment plant. Illicit connections may be intentional or unknown to the business owner.

Illicit Discharges Include:

• bacterial growth
• blood
• chromium
• construction sites
• debris
• foam
• industrial discharge
• iron and other metals
• oil
• paint
• rinse water
• septic flow
• sewage
• suds
• toilet paper
• toxic chemicals

Concrete Washouts

To raise awareness of proper concrete washout practices for those who work in construction and concrete industries, City of Marion partnered with City of Cedar Rapids, City of Hiawatha, and the Iowa Stormwater Education Program to host a free workshop focused on concrete washouts. View the recording of the presentation:

To Report an Issue 

If you would like to report illegal or illicit discharges of non-storm water or non-irrigation runoff to the stormwater system, please call the City of Marion Stormwater Hotline at (319) 743-6340 or submit this online form.