Report Illicit Storm Drain Discharges - Glendale Ordinance
Glendale, California maintains a stormwater program to prevent pollutants entering the municipal storm drain system. If you observe an illicit discharge, spill, or unauthorized connection to a storm drain, report it promptly to the City of Glendale Water Resources / Stormwater program for investigation and cleanup. See official guidance and reporting instructions on the City Stormwater Management page Glendale Stormwater Management[1].
Penalties & Enforcement
The City enforces illicit discharge prohibitions through its stormwater program and related municipal authorities; specific monetary fines and escalation steps are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the enforcing office Glendale Stormwater Management[1].
- Enforcer: Glendale Public Works, Water Resources / Stormwater program conducts investigations and issues orders.
- Inspection and complaint intake: use the city reporting channels listed below; emergency spills may require Fire Department or 911.
- Appeals and review: procedures and time limits for administrative citations or orders are not specified on the cited page; contact the enforcing department for appeal deadlines.
- Fines and escalation: specific fine amounts, per-day penalties, and repeat-offence schedules are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: cleanup orders, stop-work orders, restoration requirements, civil actions, and referral to courts or other agencies are possible enforcement tools.
- Common violations: improper disposal of motor oil, concrete washout to streets, dumping landscape waste, unauthorized connections to storm drains; penalties depend on investigation and are handled by the enforcing office.
Applications & Forms
To report a spill or illicit discharge the City provides online and phone reporting options; see the City reporting page for forms, upload instructions, and submission methods Report a Spill[2]. If no dedicated application is required, the cited page provides contact methods for immediate reporting.
Action steps to report an illicit storm drain discharge
- Call emergency services (911) if there is immediate danger to health or safety.
- Contact Glendale Public Works/Stormwater via the city reporting page or telephone.
- Provide location, description, color/odor of discharge, time observed, and photos if safe to take them.
- Follow any containment or cleanup instructions given by responding staff; document your communications.
FAQ
- How do I report an illicit discharge in Glendale?
- Use the City of Glendale stormwater reporting and spill page for non-emergencies; call 911 for emergencies and immediate hazards.
- What information should I provide when reporting?
- Give the exact location, nature of the discharge, time observed, estimated volume, and photos if possible; this helps responders prioritize the response.
- Will my report be confidential?
- Reports may be handled confidentially to the extent allowed by law; ask the intake officer about anonymity options when you report.
How-To
- Identify whether the situation is an emergency; if so, call 911 immediately.
- Document the location, time, appearance, and take photos from a safe distance.
- Go to the City of Glendale report page or phone the Stormwater program to submit details and images.
- Follow any interim containment or safety instructions provided by city staff until responders arrive.
- If enforcement follows, cooperate with investigators and follow instructions on appeals or compliance timelines.
Key Takeaways
- Report illicit discharges promptly to reduce environmental harm.
- Use the City of Glendale reporting page or call emergency services for immediate hazards.
- Provide clear location details and photos to support rapid response.
Help and Support / Resources
- Glendale Public Works - Stormwater Management
- Glendale Fire Department
- California State Water Resources Control Board