Sanitary Sewer: Carries waste from homes and businesses (such as from toilets and sinks) to a wastewater treatment plant, where it is treated before being discharged into local water bodies.
Clean up after your pet using a bag or scooper while out for walks. Follow label instructions for disposing of household cleaners, pesticides, and herbicides.
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Do Not wash your car on the streets, where water, detergent, and dirt will flow into the storm drain.
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Do Not leave grass clippings in the street, as they can be washed into storm drains and end up in waterways, potentially causing algae blooms.
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Properly dispose of old or unused medications at your local pharmacy or medication drop of.
Do Not pour anything into a storm drain. Especially motor oil, paints, chemicals, solvents, medications, herbicides, or pesticides.
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Both systems are regulated by TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) through the Division of Water Resources. The sanitary sewer operates under the POTW (Publicly Owned Treatment Works) permit, while the storm sewer operates under the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit.
Wash your car on grass so water, detergent, and dirt get filtered by the soil. Or better yet, use a commercial car wash where the water is treated.
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Storm Sewer: Carries stormwater runoff after rain events to reduce flooding. However, storm drains carry this untreated stormwater directly to local waterways.
Recycle used oil and batteries. Clean up spills immediately with a dry absorbent (cat litter or sawdust) then sweep it up and dispose of properly.
WHAT NOT TO DO
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Johnson City has two separate municipal wastewater collection systems: the storm sewer system and the sanitary sewer system, both located underground.
HOW TO PREVENT POLLUTION IN OUR WATERWAYS
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STORM SEWER VS. SANITARY SEWER
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Do not dump pollutants in storm drains, ditches or waterways.
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OTHER EXAMPLES OF ILLICIT DISCHARGES johnsoncitytn.org/stormwater
Improperly disposing of household detergents, cooking grease, cleaning products, chemicals, or paints.
ABIDE CITY ORDINANCES
HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER
SANITARY SEWER
STORM SEWER CATCH BASIN
TREATMENT PLANT
WATERWAY
18-703. (2) Prohibition of illicit discharges. a) No person shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the municipal separate storm sewer system any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater. The commencement, conduct, or continuance of any non-stormwater discharge to the municipal separate storm sewer system is prohibited.
Leaking sewage or wastewater from failing or illegal septic systems. Discharging commercial/industrial grease, concrete, or hazardous materials into drains. Allowing pet waste, detergents, yard debris, or chemicals to wash into drains. Discharging chlorinated pool or spa water into drains.