Report Illicit Stormwater Discharge - Arlington

Utilities and Infrastructure Virginia 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 10, 2026 Flag of Virginia

Arlington, Virginia requires residents and businesses to prevent, report, and help stop illicit discharges to the storm sewer system. This guide explains how to identify likely illicit stormwater discharges, what to report to the county, the typical enforcement approach, cleanup actions, and practical steps to preserve evidence. Follow the steps below to protect local streams and the Potomac watershed, and to ensure county staff can respond quickly and document violations for potential enforcement.

Penalties & Enforcement

The Arlington County Department of Environmental Services (Stormwater Management) enforces the countys stormwater and illicit discharge controls and responds to complaints and inspections. Specific monetary fines and daily civil penalties are not specified on the cited county page; see the official contact for enforcement procedures and code references below.[1]

  • Enforcing department: Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, Stormwater Management division.
  • Inspection authority: county staff may inspect sites, take photos, and document evidence for enforcement actions.
  • Appeals and review: specific appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited page; consult the county contact for appeal procedures and applicable code sections.[1]
  • Fines and escalation: exact fine amounts, first-offence ranges, and continuing-violation rates are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: the county may issue stop-work orders, abatement orders, require corrective actions or cleanups, and refer serious cases to court; specific remedies are described in county enforcement guidance or code.
If you see a sewage or chemical sheen, report it immediately to help protect public health and wildlife.

Applications & Forms

To report an incident the county provides an online reporting pathway rather than a single standalone public "form" published on the stormwater page; use the countys stormwater reporting/contact page to submit location, description, and photos for investigation.[1]

  • No separate permit or public printable form for reporting illicit discharges is listed on the cited page; submit reports via the countys online contact/report tools or phone contacts linked below.

How-To

Follow these steps to report and support cleanup of an illicit stormwater discharge in Arlington, Virginia.

  1. Identify the discharge: look for unusual colors, oily sheens, foam, sewage, or strong odors entering storm drains or flowing to creeks.
  2. Document evidence: take clear photos or video showing the location, time, flow path, and any visible source such as a pipe, vehicle, or construction site.
  3. Report to the county: use the Arlington County Stormwater Management reporting/contact page to file the incident and attach photos so staff can investigate rapidly.Arlington Stormwater Management[1]
  4. Follow up and cooperate: provide any additional information requested by inspectors, comply with abatement or cleanup orders, and retain records of communications.
Include exact location details, time, and photos when you file the report to speed investigation.

Common Violations

  • Illegal discharge of sanitary sewage, greywater, or sanitary overflows into storm drains.
  • Construction site runoff and sediment leaving a site without proper controls.
  • Improper disposal of motor oil, paints, solvents, or other hazardous liquids to the storm system.

FAQ

How do I report an illicit stormwater discharge?
Use the Arlington County Stormwater Management reporting/contact page to submit the location, description, and photos for county investigation.[1]
What information should I include in a report?
Provide exact location, time, photos or video, description of appearance or odor, and any suspected source or vehicle identification if safe to observe.
Will the county share enforcement outcomes?
Enforcement outcomes vary; contact county staff via the stormwater page for case status and any public information about corrective actions.

Key Takeaways

  • Report quickly with photos to help county staff respond effectively.
  • Arlington DES enforces stormwater rules; specific fines and appeal timelines are not specified on the cited stormwater page.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Arlington County - Stormwater Management reporting and program page

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