National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NPDES Phase II

What is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program?

"Polluted stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairment to the nearly 40 percent of surveyed U.S. water bodies which do not meet water quality standards. Over land or via storm sewer systems, polluted runoff is discharged, often untreated, directly into local water bodies. When left uncontrolled, this water pollution can result in the destruction of fish, wildlife, and aquatic life habitats; a loss in aesthetic value; and threats to public health due to contaminated food, drinking water supplies, and recreational waterways.

Mandated by Congress under the Clean Water Act, the NPDES Stormwater Program is a comprehensive two-phased national program for addressing the non-agricultural sources of stormwater discharges which adversely affect the quality of our nation's waters. The Program uses the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting mechanism to require the implementation of controls designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed by stormwater runoff into local water bodies."  (Quote from NPDES FAQ #1 on Stormwater)

The Village of Lindenhurst must comply with these new regulations under NPDES Phase II and part of that compliance includes public education.  Since stormwater run-off impacts our lakes, the Lindenhurst Lakes Commission has been enlisted to assist with informing our Village residents (and their guests as appropriate) about ways they can significantly impact compliance for the positive benefit of our environment. 

Commissioners will be available at the Lindenhurst/Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce "Spring Business Festival", Earth/Arbor Day celebration activities and Lindenfest (community-wide summer festival) to share information and answer questions.  They will make themselves available educational lectures or discussions with local groups.  They will use the Village and Lakes Commission web sites to disseminate practical information.  

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has published an excellent Lake Notes fact sheet entitled "HOME and YARD", which give many excellent tips on how to minimize stormwater pollution.  Below of some of their practical tips:

• Use lawn and garden chemicals wisely

• Avoid the use of pesticides  Use Natural Pest Control

• Use NO-phosphate fertilizers

• Do not allow fertilizers, lawn clippings and debris to go on sidewalks and driveways where they can wash in to street and then into the curb drains and out through the storm drains and into our lakes.

• Develop a shoreline buffer strip

• Stabilize the shoreline appropriately

• Minimize erosion

• Do not dump yard waste along the shoreline

• Do not burn near the lake to avoid nutrients flushing into the lake; use an appropriate barrier.

• Clean up pet waste

• Use sand instead of salt on ice

• Aim downspouts away from sidewalks and driveways

• Minimize use of toxic or hazardous chemicals.  Always dispose of them properly.

• Repair vehicles with oil leaks.

• Dispose of used motor oil properly

• Wash cars with NO-phosphate detergents or just use water.

• Do not drain chlorinated pools before neutralizing the chlorine

• Properly maintain you septic system

• Compost or mulch yard waste or see to its proper disposal.Report violations to a Lakes Commissioner.  We would like to have the opportunity to have a friendly informal chat with our neighbors to insure they are knowledgeable about why their actions are detrimental to our waters and environment.  Formal action, such as violation notices or citations is the last resort.

• Refer to the Lakes Commission website at www.lindenhurstil.org and click on the Lakes Commission link for additional information and routine updates.