The City has coverage under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase 2 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS4) (TNS075353). To comply with the MS4 Permit Section 4.2.3. the City is required to develop, implement, and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into the storm sewer system. 

To fulfill this requirement, the City of Hendersonville will carry out routine inspections of designated “Priority Areas.” These are places where activities are known to produce potentially harmful stormwater runoff, such as auto repair shops, auto supply shops, gas stations, fleet storage areas, industrial sites, commercial nurseries, car washes, restaurants, nurseries, and large commercial parking lots. The goal is to identify and eliminate unauthorized or harmful discharges into the storm sewer system, including illicit connections and illicit discharges as defined in Municipal Code Title 18-202. 

If an illicit discharge or connection is found during an inspection, the property owner will be issued a written notice of violation. They will also be asked to submit a corrective action plan explaining how they intend to eliminate the illicit discharge or illicit connection and prevent future occurrences. This process ensures compliance with the City’s MS4 permit obligations with the State of Tennessee and helps safeguard local water resources. 

If you have any questions about the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program, please contact the City Stormwater Coordinator, Helen Morrison, at 615-822-1016.