Don’t let fall leaves play tricks on our stormwater system!

As autumn leaves begin to cover Lawrence’s streets in a colorful carpet, we’d like to remind our residents about a crucial issue: illicit discharges into our stormwater system. Let’s dive into this topic and understand how it affects our beautiful city.

What’s an illicit discharge? An illicit discharge occurs when anything that’s not rainwater enters into Lawrence’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), which includes streets, curb lines, creeks, and ditches. These discharges can include:

• Litter (including pet waste)
• Soapy water from home, auto, or power washing
• Home/Garden pesticides and fertilizers
• Paint Waste
• Concrete washout or sediment leaving a construction site
• Leaves

The City of Lawrence is authorized to discharge stormwater from our MS4 to the Kansas and Wakarusa rivers in accordance with a permit issued to us from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). It obliges us to keep our stormwater pure and clean. Spotting illicit discharges is one of the six critical steps in our action plan. We also train our city employees to be vigilant detectives for these discharges.

Why does it matter? Polluted stormwater isn’t good for anyone. It can disrupt our waterways, harm aquatic life, wildlife, and even humans.

Stormwater contaminated through illicit discharges can lead to significant water quality problems. For example, increased runoff may cause flooding and the erosion of stream banks, allowing excessive sediment to enter our streams. In addition to the risk of increased flooding, the sediment or other pollutants threaten aquatic plant growth, and the elevated nutrient levels may limit available oxygen, which is vital to fish and other aquatic life. When physical debris are washed into our waterways, local wildlife may be disabled or killed.

How do we tackle this? Our MSO team, especially the Environment, Health, and Sciences division, and the Field Operations & Inspections division, keeps a watchful eye out for illicit discharges. When they spot one, they swoop in, search for a responsible party, stop the flow, and arrange for a clean up of the mess.

We’re not just about cleanups; we also spread the word about preventing illicit discharges through our outreach efforts. You might have seen our stormwater info cards or met our team at local events across the city. We love talking to you, whether you’re a kid in school or part of a civic group!

What can you do this Fall? Those beautiful fall leaves should never end up in our stormwater drains along the street. Leaves can significantly impact Lawrence’s stormwater system. Dispose of them thoughtfully through the City’s yard waste and compost programs, and don’t rake or sweep them into storm drains. Likewise, dispose of unwanted paints and pesticides free of charge at Lawrence’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Unfortunately, most illicit discharges are not caught in the act. But if you ever catch one happening, like someone dumping something where they shouldn’t, jot down the date, time, location, snap a pic if you can, and note the license plate. If you see evidence, call our MSO department at 785-832-7800 or email us at stormwater@lawrenceks.org. In an emergency, dial 911.

Keep an eye out for stained concrete near storm drains, empty containers left behind, or drainage pipes discharging water with a strange appearance. Weird smells or sickly plants nearby could also be a clue.

Stay vigilant this fall! Help us keep our storm sewer system clean and our local environment thriving. Don’t let fall leaves play tricks on our stormwater. Dispose of them wisely, and if you see something suspicious, say something! To learn more about Lawrence stormwater and proper disposal options, visit lawrenceks.org/mso/stormwater.