Stormwater Management

The Village of Carpentersville owns, operates, and maintains a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) as defined by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (IEPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II program. An MS4 is a conveyance or system of conveyances that is: owned by a state, city, town, village, or other public entity that discharges to waters of the U.S., designed or used to collect or convey storm water (e.g, storm drains, pipes, ditches), not a combined sewer, and not part of a sewage treatment plant, or publicly owned treatment works (POTW). 

Because storm runoff waters are not treated by the Villages Waste Water Treatment Facility it is important to take additional steps to reduce to the amount of pollutants that make their way into the Storm Sewer System (MS4). Homeowners can keep common pollutants like pesticides, pet waste, grass clippings, and automotive fluids off the ground and out of storm water by developing environmentally friendly household habits.

Tips to Reduce Stormwater Runoff Pollution

• Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a lawn or other unpaved surface to minimize the amount of dirty, soapy water flowing into the storm drain and eventually into your local water body.
• Recycle used oil and other automotive fluids at participating service stations. Don’t dump these chemicals down the storm drain or dispose of them in your trash.
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. Avoid application if the forecast calls for rain; otherwise, chemicals will be washed into your local stream.
• Sweep up yard debris, rather than hosing down areas. Compost or recycle yard waste when possible.
• Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable products whenever possible.
• When walking your pet please remember to pick up pet waste. Leaving pet waste on ground increases public health rick. Flushing pet waste is always the best option.

The implementation of environmentally friendly household habits not only improve water quality, but provide cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing local water bodies and streams, enhanced recreation opportunities and healthier environment for residents and wildlife.

How to Identify An Illicit Discharge Has Occurred

The first thing to look for is an apparent change to the water in a stream, river, or pond after an illicit discharge you may notice the water being cloudy or having an oily or soapy gloss. There may also be dead wildlife such as frogs and fish present. Second, if you notice pipes emptying directly into a storm drain, stream, or river that are less than 6” in diameter this may be a sign of someone illicitly discharging pollutants into the MS4 system or waterway.

Reporting An Illicit Discharge

To control illegal dumping participation from the public and city staff is important. Residents who observe illegal dumping or observe pollutants within waterways or storm sewers should contact Joe Egler-Superintendent with the Village of Carpentersville Department of Public Works at 224-293-1706

Community awareness video for illicit discharge 

English:   https://lakecountyil.swagit.com/play/11012018-930/ 

Spanish:  https://lakecountyil.swagit.com/play/11012018-929/ 

The Village has applied for and obtained coverage under the IEPA’s General NPDES Permit for Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems.Furthermore, the Village of Carpentersville is in compliance with the provisions of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, the Illinois Pollution Control Board Rules and Regulations, and the Clean Water Act.