Public Services

Stormwater Maintenance
Local Ordinance Prohibits Discharges of Pollutants

The City of Clearwater, along with other Federal agencies, has enacted laws that prohibit discharges of pollutants into the stormwater system. These laws are meant to reduce water pollution and create a better environment for generations to come. Pollutants that are prohibited from illicit discharges into the stormwater system, creeks, lakes, ponds, streets and parking lots include, but are not limited to, the following:

Pollutants

• Petroleum products, including oils, grease, solvents from parts cleaning and gasoline
• Household and pool chemicals, acids and corrosives
• Trash
• Pet waste
• Sanitary sewage
• Dyes
• Silt
• Antifreeze and other automotive products
• Lawn clippings, leaves, branches, etc.
• Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers
• Construction materials
• Recreational vehicle waste
• Paints or paint by-products
• Toxic or poisonous solids or liquids
• Any ground water that contains phosphorous
  or nitrogen concentrations greater than the surface water in which the ground water is being discharged
• Any water that exceeds the state surface water standards

You could be fined up to $500 a day
Plus clean-up cost

How to Report Illicit Discharges

In Clearwater, call the Public Services Division at 562-4950 x7207 or Engineering at 562-4759 with the information on where the discharge took place, what you saw, and a description of the person or vehicle.

If you believe that what is being discharged is dangerous, or may be harmful, call 911. In Pinellas County, call 464-4425, or the Stormwater Watch Line at 464-5060.

Things to Look for:

• Unusual odor, color or the presence of an oily sheen.
• Suds, scum or foam coming out of, or around, an outfall pipe.

Protecting Natural Resources for the Future