National Pollution Discharge Elimination System(NPDES)

Highlands County participates in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program through cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The NPDES program is a statewide program that is intended to protect waterways from a myriad of potential pollutants.

The County's role in the program is to engage in several key activities.  These involve:

  1. Public education and outreach;
  2. Encourage public involvement and participation;
  3. Engage in illicit discharge detection and elimination;
  4. Establish minimum controls for construction site stormwater control, and;
  5. Engage in best management practices to eliminate and avoid pollution associated with municipal operations.

WHAT IS AN ILLICIT DISCHARGE?

For an informational flyer that you can download and share, What is an illicit discharge.

REPORT AN ILLICIT DISCHARGE

Please click here.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS?
Stormwater Smart Brochure_Page_2

To download the complete Stormwater Smart Brochure - Know What Happens brochure.

To learn more about the program

Visit the FDEP website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/

Visit the EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/npdes

CONCERNS?

If you observe activities in your neighborhood or the community that you are concerned might pollute downstream lakes, streams, or other waterways, contact the Critical Infrastructure department at (863) 402-6877 and report the occurrence as a potential NPDES stormwater violation.

MORE INFORMATION

Boat owners
CommercialNPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Commercial tips

HouseholdNPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Household tips

Lawn & garden
Septic systemsSwimming pools and surface water quality

During every rainstorm, pollutants left on parking lots, driveways, roads, and yards are washed down storm drains that flow into natural waterways. Engineering’s Stormwater division is working to clean-up stormwater runoff and improve the health of our waters and wetlands.
Homeowners can do their part in improving the health of our waterways by adopting the swimming pool discharge practices listed on this page.

BEST PRACTICES

Swimming pool draining wastewaters may be discharged from a public or private residential pool to a surface water catch basin provided the following conditions are met:
  • Make sure the pH level is between 6.5 and 8.0.
  • Total residual chlorine or bromine shall be non-detectable as determined by a test kit commonly used in the pool industry (less than 0.1 mg/L).
  • The discharge shall not cause foaming or discoloration of the receiving waters.
  • No algae or sanitation control treatment chemicals, other than those that are bromine or chlorine based, are used. Chemicals to adjust the pH may also be used.
  • The discharge shall not cause the scouring of stream, river or estuarine bottoms or wetlands.
If you need to schedule pH testing prior to pool discharge, please contact Highlands County Engineering’s NPDES program staff at 863-402-6877.

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ILLICIT DISCHARGE OF SWIMMING POOL WATER
It is important to understand that there shall be NO discharge of swimming pool acid cleaning, pressure wash or swimming pool filtration backwash or wastewaters to any surface water or wetland.
Chlorinated water discharged directly to surface waters or via storm drains has an adverse effect on local water quality.
Chlorinated water from swimming pools that has been discharged into a storm drain, street or gutter ends up in a stream or river where it produces by-products that are highly toxic and carcinogenic to fish and other wildlife.
These by-products then can combine with other organic materials to form extremely toxic organic chemicals.

IT’S THE LAW

Sending pollutant-laden runoff down the storm drain is bad for the health of our waterways and it’s also illegal.
State and federal laws prohibit the discharge of pollutants into surface water, stormwater, and groundwater.

REPORT POLLUTION

If you notice illegal dumping, or see, hear about, or suspect activity that you believe is against the law and placing people’s health or natural resources at risk, call Highlands County Engineering’s NPDES program staff at 863-402-6877.

Here are some pollution control practices:

  • Store pool chemicals safely, where they will not be subjected to rain events.
  • Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly or not at all
  • Landscape your yard with bushes, trees, and mulched beds to produce less runoff.
  • Do not dump yard waste in streams.
  • Inspect and repair your septic system regularly.
  • Wash cars on a grassy area with phosphorus-free detergents or use a car wash that recycles wash water.
  • Sweep sidewalks and driveways and dispose of sweepings in the trash.
  • Pick up pet waste and cat litter and dispose of in the trash
  • Fix any vehicle leaks.
swimming pools
Swimming pools and surface water quality

During every rainstorm, pollutants left on parking lots, driveways, roads, and yards are washed down storm drains that flow into natural waterways. Engineering’s Stormwater division is working to clean-up stormwater runoff and improve the health of our waters and wetlands.
Homeowners can do their part in improving the health of our waterways by adopting the swimming pool discharge practices listed on this page.

BEST PRACTICES
Swimming pool draining wastewaters may be discharged from a public or private residential pool to a surface water catch basin provided the following conditions are met:
  • Make sure the pH level is between 6.5 and 8.0.
  • Total residual chlorine or bromine shall be non-detectable as determined by a test kit commonly used in the pool industry (less than 0.1 mg/L).
  • The discharge shall not cause foaming or discoloration of the receiving waters.
  • No algae or sanitation control treatment chemicals, other than those that are bromine or chlorine based, are used. Chemicals to adjust the pH may also be used.
  • The discharge shall not cause the scouring of stream, river or estuarine bottoms or wetlands.
If you need to schedule pH testing prior to pool discharge, please contact Highlands County Engineering’s NPDES program staff at 863-402-6877.

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ILLICIT DISCHARGE OF SWIMMING POOL WATER
It is important to understand that there shall be NO discharge of swimming pool acid cleaning, pressure wash or swimming pool filtration backwash or wastewaters to any surface water or wetland.
Chlorinated water discharged directly to surface waters or via storm drains has an adverse effect on local water quality.
Chlorinated water from swimming pools that has been discharged into a storm drain, street or gutter ends up in a stream or river where it produces by-products that are highly toxic and carcinogenic to fish and other wildlife.
These by-products then can combine with other organic materials to form extremely toxic organic chemicals.

IT’S THE LAW
Sending pollutant-laden runoff down the storm drain is bad for the health of our waterways and it’s also illegal.
State and federal laws prohibit the discharge of pollutants into surface water, stormwater, and groundwater.

REPORT POLLUTION
If you notice illegal dumping, or see, hear about, or suspect activity that you believe is against the law and placing people’s health or natural resources at risk, call Highlands County Engineering’s NPDES program staff at 863-402-6877.

Here are some pollution control practices:
  • Store pool chemicals safely, where they will not be subjected to rain events.
  • Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly or not at all
  • Landscape your yard with bushes, trees, and mulched beds to produce less runoff.
  • Do not dump yard waste in streams.
  • Inspect and repair your septic system regularly.
  • Wash cars on a grassy area with phosphorus-free detergents or use a car wash that recycles wash water.
  • Sweep sidewalks and driveways and dispose of sweepings in the trash.
  • Pick up pet waste and cat litter and dispose of in the trash
  • Fix any vehicle leaks.