Topic outline

  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination in Storm Drains Manual - Part 2

    Credits: 5 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Provisions of the 1987 Clean Water Act require National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for storm water discharges. Section 402 (p)(3)(B)(ii) of the law requires that permits for municipal separate storm sewers (MS4s) shall include a requirement to prohibit problematic non-storm water discharges into storm sewers. Thus affected agencies must identify and locate sources of non-storm water discharges into storm drains so that appropriate actions for their elimination may be instituted. To provide support and guidance, primarily to Phase II NPDES MS4 communities, for the establishment of Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) programs, the Environmental Protection Agency funded the development of a manual, “Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, A Guidance Manual for Program Development and Technical Assessments.”

    The manual also has application for Phase I communities looking to modify existing programs and for groups such as watershed organizations that are interested in watershed restoration activities. This course is based on Chapters 11-14 of the manual, which focusses on technical information about methods to screen, characterize and remove illicit discharges in MS4 communities. Detailed information is presented on specific monitoring techniques and protocols.

    Topics:

    • Components of an outfall reconnaissance inventory (ORI)
    • Desktop analysis to support the ORI
    • Customizing the ORI for a particular community
    • Interpreting ORI data
    • Sample collection considerations
    • Methods to analyze indicator samples
    • Techniques to interpret sample data
    • Tracking discharges to a source: investigations of storm drain networks, drainage areas, septic systems, and on-site facilities
    • Techniques to fix discharges

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: civil, environmental, and hydraulic engineers concerned with storm water management.
    Publication Source: US Environmental Protection Agency

    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

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