Environmental Enforcement Division
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What is Illegal Dumping?
Illegal dumping is the act of placing any material on any location (public or private) other than the appropriate place of disposal. A common example of illegal dumping is throwing trash or rubbish in creeks, floodways, and floodplains. Illegal dumping contaminates our only source of drinking water, damages the life and property of residents, and obstructs the flow of water. Common items illegally dumped in creeks and surrounding areas include tires, mattresses, and building materials.
What is an Illegal Discharge?
Illegal discharges are solid or liquid materials introduced into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) other than stormwater (rainwater runoff). Illegal discharges can come from residential, commercial, or industrial areas.
Common sources of illicit discharge include illegal dumping, broken sanitary sewer line, cross-connections, and sanitary sewer overflows. It is important to detect illegal discharges to make sure these materials do not contaminate our water.
Illegal Discharge Detection and Elimination Program
Our Illegal Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) program trains municipal employees to take immediate and direct action to stop or reduce discharges.
Our team is trained to place absorbent for small spills, maintain inlets and storm sewer pipes, and contract to maintain creeks and outfalls. Environmental investigators may recommend violators hire cleaning contractors.
Criminal Penalties
Criminal Penalties for illegal dumping are warranted for those who violate these provisions. Illegal dumping is considered a misdemeanor and shall be fined a minimum amount of $500 per violation and a maximum amount of $4,000 per violation. Each day after a notice of violation was issued counts as a separable offense.
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Environmental Enforcement Division
Our Environmental Investigators patrol, investigate, and cite instances of illegal dumping. If you witness someone dumping trash and rubbish illegally, report it to our office immediately at (956) 794-1650. If possible, provide the time, date, location, photographic evidence, and/or license plate number when reporting. We may call you back for more information, but your identity will remain anonymous. It is important that the individuals responsible for illegal dumping are fined for contaminating our environment rather than passing that cost down to residents.
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