Stormwater

Stormwater Runoff GraphicThe Public Works Department leads the City’s efforts to protect water quality and the health and safety of both the public and the ecosystem by reducing the discharge of pollutants into the storm drain system to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP). The stormwater system is not a part of the sewer system.

Stormwater management is the effort to analyze, understand, and address stormwater runoff from a water quantity and water quality perspective and for addressing stormwater runoff for the purposes of: 

  • Reducing downstream erosion 
  • Water quality monitoring and public education
  • Flooding management and drainage maintenance
  • Mitigating adverse effects of changes in land use and runoff characteristics on the aquatic environment

The City of Wilmer has developed a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) to reduce pollutants in the City’s stormwater system and to improve the water quality in the local lakes, creeks, and rivers.

The SWMP addresses Five Minimum Control Measures:

  • Public Education, Outreach, and Involvement
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  • Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
  • Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment
  • Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

For more information or to Report a Concern or Violation please call 972-441-6373 or Email or click the link below.

Types of Illegal Discharges

  • Dumping of yard and pet waste                                 
  • Dumping of fats, oils, and grease                                     
  • Roadway accident spills                                      
  • Sanitary wastewater and direct septic connections                           
  • Industrial and commercial connections                                      
  • Sediment and erosion from construction sites                                     
  • Blowing grass clippings into a storm drain

Stormwater Pollution Prevention

The best way to protect storm water runoff quality is to avoid polluting in the first place.

  • Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids. Don’t dump them onto the ground or into storm drains
  • Dispose of household hazardous waste properly.
  • Do not blow grass clippings into storm drains or the streets
  • Develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
  • Prevent stormwater pollution at construction sites

Public Educational Resources

If you SEE it, please REPORT it!

Illegal dumping in Wilmer is a serious problem. Only with the help of the citizens of Wilmer can this problem be solved.

The following list is the most common types of illegal dumping in Wilmer:

  • Throwing litter out of a car, truck, or boat (Did you know that about half of the litter on roadsides flies out of the back of pickup trucks and that throwing trash in the bed of your pickup is the same as throwing it out the window?).
  • Dumping household trash, construction debris or yard waste on land that is not a legal landfill.
  • Disposing of old cars by rolling them into stream, creeks, or rivers.
  • Hauling trash for profit and dumping it on land that is not a legal landfill.
  • Dumping household trash in someone's dumpster without authorization; and
  • Letting an individual or business dump waste on your property, whether they pay you or not.

To report illegal dumping please call 1-888-335-DUMP. The information will be collected and forwarded to the correct enforcement agency for that specific illegal dumping area.

Protect Your Drinking Water - Photo of Polluted Water