703-324-5500
TTY 711
Craig Carinci,
Director, Stormwater Planning
Fairfax County's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requires the county to implement an illicit discharge and improper disposal (IDID) program to prohibit any individual non-stormwater discharge to the county MS4 and to state waters. The MS4, also known as the storm drainage system, was designed to convey runoff from rain and snowmelt from the land to surface waters such as streams and rivers. Material that enters Fairfax County's MS4 does not go to a wastewater treatment plant. Therefore, chemicals and waste materials must not be disposed of in the MS4.
Fairfax County defines an IDID as the intentional or unintentional release of non-stormwater materials that may enter the storm drainage system, streams or ponds by dumping, pouring, throwing, spilling, abandoning, negligent storage or through an illicit connection.
Fairfax County defines an illicit connection as a pipe that is improperly connected to the storm drainage system and transports non-stormwater materials into a storm drainage system. For example, sometimes a sanitary sewer or wastewater pipe is improperly connected to an open channel or stream and transports non-stormwater materials directly to a body of water.
Some discharges are not considered illicit because they are authorized by the MS4 permit. These include discharges that have a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit as well as some specific discharges that are not considered to be a significant source of pollutants such as dechlorinated swimming pool water and irrigation water.
Examples of IDID include, but are not limited to:
How to Report an IDID
If you are reporting a "fish kill", contact Virginia DEQ through the 24/7 Virginia Emergency Operations Center at 800-468-8892.
For all other IDIDs, call the Stormwater Planning Division, 703-324-5500, TTY 711 or complete the Report Illicit Discharges online form.
Requested Information
When reporting an IDID, provide the following information:
County staff responds to observations or complaints of illicit discharges by:
Other Illegal Dumping
What about dumping that does not involved the storm drainage system or waterways?
Please report illegal dumpsites to the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) at 703-324-1300, TTY 711. For more information about DCC’s handling of illegal dumping reports, please visit DCC’s Illegal Dumping website.
Swimming in Natural Waters
Is it safe for me or my pet to swim or consume water in streams?
Based on the levels of E. coli found, we discourage swimming in natural waters. See Health Department Advisory.