Pollution Overview
Stormwater runoff in our city isn’t treated by the Greater Peoria Sanitary District.
The storm sewer system is separate from the sanitary sewer system. As we don't treat the water before it exits the system (and flows into our waterways), we must do our part to minimize the pollution that enters the system.
A Witches’ Brew of Pollutants
Rainfall and snowmelt pick up whatever chemical compounds and/or trash lie on developed land, which then makes their way into creeks and streams.
Our Permit Requirements
Like other communities, Peoria has a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the storm sewer systems. Administered by the Illinois EPA under the Clean Water Act, it regulates untreated, discharged stormwater runoff. A more stringent permit took effect in 2016. Meeting these standards requires changes in how we build, monitor, and maintain our storm sewer system. It also means we need to educate our community about pollution and ways to prevent it.
Do Your Part
Here are three simple ways you can help keep pollutants out of our city’s drains, sewers, and streams.
- Never pour chemicals - cleaning supplies, or paint down the storm drains. Small items like litter can also clog pipes.
- Sweep grass clippings - back onto your lawn so they don’t get washed into storm drains. Never dump excess dirt or other yard waste into ravines, creek beds, or streams.
- Be conservative with pesticides and fertilizer - You can prevent polluted runoff from entering into nearby water resources by opting for greener landscaping maintenance methods.