Illicit discharge tracing problem

[ACtrafficengr]

We have a storm drain drop inlet with an 4" PVC pipe that has been added without our permission. A definite black water smell is coming from the pipe, and it has tested positive for coliform.

We've done die tests in all the nearby homes, but no die came out of the pipe.

We'll be replacing the DI this summer. Is it permissable to just cut off and plug the pipe? Is it advisable?

Can anyone think of a way to trace the pipe short of putting a lit M-80 and a cork in it, and seeing who complains?

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

 

[ACtrafficengr]

If it makes a difference, we're a non-traditional MS4 agency (county DPW), and it's in a rural area of upstate NY.

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

 

[dylansdad]

Have you considered a smoke test?

 

[Maury]

You could try electronically tracing the pipe to find out where it originates. I am surprised that there isn't some indication of the excavation that would have been done to install the pipe. Some possibilites for a source that wouldn't show up immediately with dye testing: sump pump for basement underdrain; outlet from septic tank drain tile; surface drainage tile; though the underdrain and the surface drainage wouldn't give the smell you reported.

 

[ACtrafficengr]

Dylan, tell me more.

Maury, it's PVC, and it may have been there for decades. I suppose we could hire a ground penetrating radar squad, but I'm not sure the county would spring for the expense.

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

 

[3feethighandrising]

Whoever is issuing your MS4 Stormwater Discharge Permit will have guidelines on disconnecting illicit discharges. The NPDES permits are set up to require ordinances to allow investigation including right of entry to investigate and test for illicit storm discharges. Then esculating fees and penalties for owners of illicit connections until they disconnect.

Check your local ordinances, there will be a section on illicit stormwater connections. I would trace the pipe to the nearest property line and then enforce the esculating fees until they disconnect and abandon the line. Plugging the line at the structure will just make them find another existing line to tap into.

 

[bimr]

We have also had good luck finding connections using smoke testing. It is also relatively inexpensive.

You need s blower with high capacity air flow to force the smoke out. Check the link:

http://www.pollardwater.com/pages_product/303-550.asp

 

[Ron]

If you're in a rural area, you might check for a nearby septic tank. It's possible that someone got tired of pumping their tank and re-doing their drain field, and installed a pipe. A good chance the dye wouldn't make it through that, particularly if it is a pipe from an underdrain that carries the septic tank effluent.

Have you considered running a camera up the pipe?

 

[civilman72]

A smoke test is your cheapest alternative, but considering the smell and presence of coliform, this is probably coming from a septic tank, and a smoke test will not work if this pipe comes from a leech field; if it coming directly from a tank, then you may have more luck.

Tracing the pipe should be your best way of determining where the pipe goes. I don't think you should need anything fancy like ground penetrating radar - assuming you can get into the inlet and access the pipe, you should be able to find a company that can run a metal tracer wire down the pipe and then locate the pipe from the surface.

 

[beej67]

If it's near enough to the surface, you may not need to hire anyone. Just get a pluming snake, a metal detector, and a can of spray paint and see where it goes yourself.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com