Pasco County Illicit Discharge Video Questionnaire

As a government employee, it is indeed your duty to protect our waters from polluters and to report illicit discharges. This responsibility falls under the jurisdiction of various government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. By actively working to prevent pollution and reporting any illicit discharges, you contribute to safeguarding the environment and ensuring the well-being of both present and future generations.

Construction sites are required to install special fences and storm drain covers to prevent pollution of our waterbodies. This is because construction activities can generate a significant amount of sediment, debris, and other pollutants that can easily enter storm drains and ultimately contaminate nearby water sources. By installing special fences, construction sites can prevent these pollutants from reaching storm drains, while storm drain covers can help to filter out any pollutants that may still enter the drains. This measure is essential to protect the quality of our waterbodies and ensure their sustainability.

Stormwater refers to rainwater after it hits the ground. Once rain falls and comes into contact with the surface, it becomes stormwater. This term is used to describe the water that flows over the ground, roads, and other surfaces, eventually making its way into storm drains, rivers, and other bodies of water. Stormwater can carry pollutants and contaminants from the surfaces it flows over, making it important to manage and treat it properly to protect the environment and public health.

Stormwater drains are not connected to wastewater treatment plants. Stormwater drains are designed to collect rainwater and runoff from the streets, parking lots, and other surfaces, and direct it to local water bodies such as rivers, lakes, or oceans. On the other hand, wastewater treatment plants are responsible for treating and processing domestic and industrial wastewater before it is released back into the environment. These two systems are separate and serve different purposes.

Taking leftover paint to an authorized recycling center is a good practice to prevent stormwater pollution because it ensures that the paint does not end up in the storm drain, where it could contaminate water sources. Similarly, preventing leaves from getting into the storm drain is important because leaves can clog the drain and cause water pollution.

The statement "Only rain down the storm drain" is true. This means that the storm drain system is designed to handle rainwater and not other types of liquid waste or debris. It is important to follow this rule to prevent pollution and keep the stormwater system functioning properly.

Construction sites can generate various pollutants due to the nature of the activities involved. Dirt and debris can be generated from excavation and demolition work. Paint can be a pollutant if it contains harmful chemicals or if it is not properly disposed of. Sediment can be generated from erosion and runoff during construction. Tile cutting dust can contain harmful particles and chemicals, making it a potential pollutant. Therefore, all of the listed options - Dirt, Debris, Paint, Sediment, and Tile Cutting Dust - can be pollutants that may be generated at construction sites.

Activities such as landscape maintenance, pool maintenance, and pressure washing can cause stormwater pollution. During landscape maintenance, chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides may be used, which can be washed away by rainwater and contaminate stormwater runoff. Similarly, pool maintenance involves the use of chemicals like chlorine, which can also be carried away by stormwater. Pressure washing can lead to the release of pollutants such as oil, grease, and detergents into storm drains, contributing to stormwater pollution. Shopping and golf, on the other hand, do not typically involve activities that directly cause stormwater pollution.

The backwash water from a pool filter should be discharged on the grass. This is because the water contains chemicals and debris that could be harmful to the environment if discharged into other areas such as the driveway, street, sewer drain, or stormwater drain. Discharging the water on the grass allows it to be absorbed by the soil and filtered naturally, minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment.

The examples of illicit discharges that may be seen are washing machines illegally piped to a creek or waterbody and dumping litter into a storm drain. These actions involve the improper disposal of waste materials, which can lead to pollution of water sources and harm the environment. Walking a pet and cleaning up after it, as well as residents blowing grass clippings and leaves back into their yards, are not examples of illicit discharges as they do not involve the improper disposal of waste into water sources.

Stormwater pollution is the single major source of pollution to our rivers, lakes, and bay. When it rains, stormwater runoff collects pollutants from various sources such as streets, parking lots, and construction sites. These pollutants include oil, chemicals, litter, and sediment that are carried by the stormwater into our water bodies. Stormwater pollution can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, leading to water quality degradation, harm to wildlife, and loss of biodiversity. Therefore, it is crucial to implement effective stormwater management practices to reduce and prevent pollution from entering our waterways.

An illicit discharge refers to a discharge that may pollute our waters, is prohibited by law, and involves illegal dumping. This means that it is any discharge, intentional or unintentional, that can contaminate our water bodies and is against the law. It includes the improper disposal of substances or materials into stormwater drains, which can harm the environment and pose a threat to human health.

When fertilizing your lawn near a waterbody, it is important to maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet. This distance is necessary to prevent any runoff or leaching of fertilizers into the waterbody, which can lead to water pollution. By keeping a safe distance, you can help protect the water quality and prevent any potential harm to aquatic life.

The given question asks about the potential range of fines for illegal discharges. The answer is $10,000/day, indicating that the maximum fine that can be imposed for illegal discharges is $10,000 per day.

If you suspect an illicit discharge, you should write down the location of the site and if safe, take some pictures to provide evidence of the discharge. Additionally, you should call the customer service department to report the situation and provide them with the information you have gathered. Taking a water sample and dropping it off at the environmental lab is not necessary in this situation as it is not mentioned as a recommended action.