Illicit discharge detection and elimination: Low cost options for source identification and trackdown in stormwater systems
Abstract
Permit regulations in the U.S. for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) require the MS4 to develop a program that detects and eliminates illicit discharges (e.g., improper wastewater connections) into the storm sewer system. Municipalities are interested in cost-effective methods to meet the permit requirements of this federal mandate. Our demonstration project with municipalities in Western New York State evaluated low cost options for illicit discharge trackdown. First, a visual reconnaissance was used to document flowing stormwater outfalls in dry weather. Subsequently, a sampling program was conducted, in combination with decision-making tools, to identify possible sources of illicit discharges. Colorimetric techniques were tested for a number of chemical parameters and the Coliscan Easygel® system was tested for E. coli analysis. Results from these various cost-effective analytical techniques were compared with analysis by standard methods. The E. coli test, in particular, had good precision and was useful in trackdown.
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Phase II MS4 challenges: moving toward effective stormwater management for small municipalities
Rieck, L., Carson, C., Hawley, R. J., Heller, M., Paul, M., Scoggins, M., Zimmerman, M., & Smith, R. F. (2022) · Urban Ecosystems · doi:10.1007/s11252-021-01179-3 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
- Authors
- Irvine, K., Rossi, M. C., Vermette, S., Bakert, J., & Kleinfelder, K.
- Affiliations
- Buffalo State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Irvine, Kim
- ORCID
- Irvine, Kim
- Venue
- Urban Water Journal
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2011-11-15
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 379-395
- ISSN
- 1573-062X (ISSN-L)
- 1744-9006
- OpenAlex
- W2030914678
- Semantic Scholar
- 886d2d7cffbd8e5f0f2cefa62b8e9195039cbc14
- Cited by
- 54
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Urban Water Journal (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Stormwater Management Solutions
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Fecal contamination and water quality
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Keywords
- municipal separate storm sewer systems, stormwater outfalls, colorimetry, Escherichia coli detection, source identification, Western New York
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