For Businesses
Businesses, institutions, churches and medical facilities all play a role in protecting our local waterways. Check out these housekeeping tips for ways to reduce your contribution to stormwater pollution. You can also contact the GLRC to partner in educating your staff and customers on pollution prevention.
Illicit Discharge
Reporting Directory
An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except for discharges allowed under an NPDES permit or waters used for firefighting operations. An illicit connection is a physical connection to an MS4 that primarily conveys non-stormwater discharges other than uncontaminated groundwater into the MS4.
Report illicit discharges, connections, and illegal dumping into storm drains, streams and other water bodies to your community. Links and phone numbers to GLRC communities are located here:
Clinton County Drain Commission 989-224-5160
Clinton County Road Commission 989-668-0044
Delhi Charter Township 517-699-3874
Delta Charter Township 517-323-8540
City of Dewitt 517-669-5466
Dewitt Charter Township 989-224-5160
City of East Lansing 517-337-9459
Eaton County 517-543-3193
City of Grand Ledge 571-627-2149
Ingham County 517-676-8395
City of Lansing 517-483-4161
Lansing Charter Township 517-485-4063
Lansing School District 517-755-3014
Meridian Township 517-853-4460
Michigan State University 517-355-0153
REPORT
ILLICIT DISCHARGES
Report ANY dumping into storm drains, streams, or other water bodies.
You may also contact the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) at 800-292-4706.
Sometimes a series of discharges from nonpoint sources results in pollution like Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). HABs are blooms of Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, in lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds. They can release toxins at certain times that can make humans and animals sick. HABs are caused by nutrient pollution from things like lawn and farm fertilizers, stormwater runoff, animal manure, detergents, sewers, and malfunctioning septic systems. Learn how to identify HABs and report them in the above video from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) .
Take these simple steps to prevent the spread of Harmful Algal Blooms:
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Use phosphate-free detergents
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Dispose of pet wastes properly
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Apply fertilizers only when necessary and use recommended amount
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Maintain your septic system
Concerned with foam on a lake or river? This foam can be naturally occurring or formed because of environmental pollution. There are many things that can be introduced into a lake or stream that may cause foam to form. Organic compounds from decomposing plants in a lake or river can build up and change the physical nature of the water, causing foam to form. If you suspect PFAS foam has formed on a lake or river, take a picture and report it to EGLE. Michigan's Department of Health & Human Services recommends everyone avoid all foam on surface waters.
