Reported Sewer Overflow and Illicit and Unpermitted Discharge Releases
Sewer overflows and release events have the potential to pose a threat to human and/or environmental health.
Avoid swimming, wading, boating, or fishing after wastewater overflow, releases, or Illicit Discharges!
Public Resources on recent sewer overflow and release events that have been reported are available at the following links:
- View Public Alerts and Reported Sewer Overflow and Release Incident Reports - Public Alerts have been submitted by Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) for prompt public awareness of untreated discharges and their locations. These alerts have been directly reported by WWTFs and may have not yet been reviewed by the State. WWTFs are required to submit a public alert as soon as possible, but no longer than one hour from discovery of an untreated discharge from the wastewater treatment facility. This time requirement is extended to no longer than four hours if the operator does not have telephone or internet service at the location or they are working to control or stop the untreated discharge. Sewer Overflow and Release Incident Reports provide additional details on these events and are required to be reported by WWTFs within 12 hours of discovery. The search criteria for these reports is auto-filled for the previous 30 days. To see additional (earlier) data, simply adjust the begin date. NOTE: there is no data available for public alerts prior to May 4, 2016, however data on sewer overflow and releases are available beginning January 1, 2007.
- Unpermitted Discharges - Unpermitted Discharges are discharges of wastewater, industrial process water, dumping or spills into waters of the State either directly or through Stormwater-only drainage systems or other conveyance. These discharges have been identified and found that they may pose a threat to human health or the environment. This report is auto-filled to show all reported discharges that have not yet been resolved as well as incidents that were resolved in the previous 30 days. To see additional (earlier) data, simply adjust the begin date.
- Subscribe to alerts and notifications! - Subscribe here to receive email or text notifications when new public alerts, sewer overflow and release incident reports, or unpermitted discharges are reported.
Helpful Information for Wastewater Treatment Facilities
- Procedure for Public Notice of Untreated Discharges and Unpermitted Discharges to Vermont's Surface Waters - In response Act 86, this procedure has been developed to outline the reporting and public notice of untreated and unpermitted discharges. This procedure defines the public notice, reporting, and signage requirements of wastewater treatment facilities in the event of an untreated discharge to waters of the State. In addition, this procedure defines the requirements of the Agency and sets forth a protocol for internal Agency coordination in the event of an unpermitted discharge to waters of the State, which may pose a threat to human health or the environment.
- Submit a Public Alert for your Facility - Within 1 hour of discovery of an untreated sewage discharge WWTF operators must submit a public alert to our electronic alert system. This time requirement is extended to no longer than four hours if the operator does not have telephone or internet service at the location or they are working to control or stop the untreated discharge. The public alert system is mobile friendly. A login is not required to submit a public alert (the user name and password at the top of the page is for internal use only), you only need a password, corresponding to the facility submitting the report (refer to your permit or ask Wastewater program staff if you have questions about this). Once you have entered the required information, your public alert will be immediately available for public viewing on the Department’s website. The email address provided when submitting the alert will also receive a confirmation email.
- Submit an Incident Report Here - Within 12 hours of discovery WWTF operators must also give notice to the Department, and to local public health officers, of each untreated sewage discharge from the WWTF. To submit this report you will need to have an account set up in our online reporting system ‘ANROnline’ system. If you have questions related to creating an account please contact: Greg Lutchko, DEC Systems Coordinator, 802-272-4529, or greg.lutchko@vermont.gov
Temporary signs for posting at downstream public access areas after a release -WWTF operators will be required to post temporary signs at public access areas downstream of sewage discharges and other unpermitted discharges identified by the Secretary that may pose a threat to human health or the environment. The signs shall remain in place for 48 hours after the untreated or unpermitted discharge has stopped. A template is available here for your use.
Permanent Signs for posting at each CSO Outfall - WWTFs will now be required to post permanent signage at every CSO outfall. The Department had 12”x18” aluminum signs made for each CSO outfall in Vermont. These signs have been modeled after CSO outfall signs required under New York’s CSO notice law. Ensure that signs are posted and can be readily seen at each of your CSO outfalls. If you have questions or need new signs please reach out to the Wastewater program staff. - Act 86 (H.674): An Act Relating to Public Notice of Wastewater Discharges
- Click here to find your Town Health Officer
