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Illicit discharge detection and elimination is the third minimum control measure (MCM) required by the EPA and Kentucky Division of Water. The City of Richmond feels that is it important to protect our creeks and streams from potential pollutants. Healthy watersheds provide better living conditions for our citizens.

What is Illicit Discharge?

Illicit discharge can be defined as a direct or in-direct non-stormwater substance, pollutant, or hazardous material disposed, deposited, spilled, poured, injected, seeped, dumped, leaked, or placed by any means intentionally or unintentionally, into storm sewers, culverts, drainage ditches, swales, creeks, rivers, or any other stormwater conveyance system.

Examples include:

  • Dumping anything down a storm drain that is not precipitation.
  • Outdoor washing activities that create flow to a storm drain (e.g., car washing, power washing of structures, etc.)
  • Non-target irrigation from landscaping and lawns that reaches the storm drain system. This includes overwatering of lawns and misdirected sprinkler systems that releases tap water into the storm system.
  • Spills that enter the storm drain system.
  • Industrial and commercial connections to the storm drain.

How does the City of Richmond meet these responsibilities?

The City of Richmond works with other organizations to facilitate activities, such as Bluegrass Greensource, Madison County Public Library, Madison County Solid Waste and departments within the city.

Ordinance 12-54: Prohibition, Elimination, and Control of Illicit Discharges to the Storm Sewer System

Household Hazardous Waste Collection:

Household Hazardous Waste are items, considered by the EPA, that can catch fire, react, or explode in certain environments, or items that are corrosive or toxic. Examples include: paints, cleaners, oil, batteries, and pesticides.

For more information on HHW:

Check back soon for information for City of Richmond Collection Events!

City of Richmond Recycling Center:

Recycling of materials is not only earth conscious, but also helps keep pollution out of our local watersheds by providing disposal methods for waste.

Reporting an Illicit Discharge:

In the case of an emergency please contact 9-1-1.

Environmental Reporting Contact Information:

Madison County Emergency Management Agency
Dustin Heiser or Jennifer Hitch
560 Keeneland Drive, Richmond, KY 40475
P: (859) 624-4787             F: (859) 626-9084

City of Richmond Planning and Zoning Department
Stormwater Staff
239 W. Main Street, Richmond, KY 40475
P: (859) 623-1000             F: (859) 625-6401

Kentucky Emergency Management 24-hour Hotline
100 Minuteman Parkway, Frankfort, KY 40601
(800) 255-2587

Kentucky Department for Environmental Protections’ Environmental Emergency 24-hour Hotline
(502) 564-2380
(800) 928-2380

United States Environmental Protection Agency National Response Center
(800) 424-8802

United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, 24-hour Emergency Response Team
(800) 241-1754

Emergency Contact Information:

City of Richmond Fire Department
200 N. Madison Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475
P: (859) 623-1164

City of Richmond Police Department
1721 Lexington Road, Richmond, KY 40475
P: (859) 623-1162 or (859) 623-1163

Madison County Sheriff’s Office
135 W Irvine St B01, Richmond, KY 40475
P: (859) 623-1511

Kentucky State Police Post 7
699 Eastern Bypass, Richmond, KY 40475
P: (859) 623-2404

Madison County Dispatch
560 S Keeneland Drive, Richmond, KY 40475
P: (859) 624-4776

Richmond Utilities
300 Hallie Irvine St, Richmond, KY 40475
P: (859) 623-2323
After Hours: (859) 369-5389

Please be prepared to provide the following information when reporting an illicit discharge:

  • Specific location of the illicit discharge;
  • Time and date of the illicit discharge;
  • Detailed and accurate information in relation to the illicit discharge. Details may include:
    • Observation of the flow;
    • Observations of the color of water body;
    • Observations of odor;
    • Observations of cloudiness; and
    • Observations of visible floatables in water body.
  • Pictures or videos of the occurrence, if possible.