Cities and counties are required by the state and federal government to try to keep pollution from entering storm drainage systems.  To meet this goal, Redmond must develop and maintain an Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE) Program.

Illicit discharges are generally considered to be anything but clean rain water that gets into a storm drain, unless it is specifically authorized.  Illicit discharges are sometimes referred to as spills.  Some illicit discharges are the result of lack of information or understanding about pollution generating activities such as restaurant outdoor cleaning practices or homeowner and business waste disposal.  Leaking dumpsters, vehicles or open paint cans stored where they could overflow in the rain are also considered sources of illicit discharges even though these activities may not be intentional. 

Stormwater flows directly into waterways like Lake Sammamish and Puget Sound without treatment.  In certain areas of Redmond, stormwater can even affect drinking water quality.  Polluted stormwater is recognized as being responsible for serious pollution problems in waterways throughout the region.
Residents and businesses can help keep waterways safe from illicit discharges by reporting pollution to the IDDE program’s Spill Hotline at 425-556-2868.