Council passes revisions to storm water ordinance

In December, the Littleton City Council passed revisions to the Littleton storm water ordinance. It is now unlawful to discharge to the streets, gutters, ditches or storm sewers most waters not directly resulting from rainfall or snow melt runoff.

Storm water flows directly to creeks, streams, lakes and other water bodies without treatment. It has been shown that discharges such as automobile radiator flushing, cleaning painting tools, process water from power washing and similar activities are harmful to the environment. Residents and business owners who are found to be making such discharges to the storm drainage system could be subject to penalties or fines, as stipulated by the city code.

Some non-storm water discharges that consist of generally clean water may still be allowed. Waters generally resulting from such things as excess landscape irrigation, rising groundwater and basement sump pumps can still be discharged to the storm drainage system, as long as they are not found to be a source of pollution.

For questions or to report a possibly illegal discharge, please contact the Littleton Public Services Department at 303-795-3865 during normal office hours, or leave a message any time on the storm water hotline at 303-734-8299.