Rain and snowmelt that run off our streets, driveways and yards flow into storm drains and go straight to local waterways and Lake Michigan without treatment. Anything that goes into a storm drain goes into the lake. This page explains what the Village does to keep that water clean and what you can do to help.
Report Pollution
See something going into a storm drain?
It is illegal to dump or discharge anything other than stormwater into the Village storm sewer system. Report it right away. The Village responds to every report.
Report things like:
- Oil, paint, chemicals or soapy water entering a storm drain or ditch
- Unusual color, odor, foam or sheen at an outfall, ditch or creek
- Water flowing from a storm pipe when it has not rained
- Muddy water or sediment leaving a construction site
- Yard waste, trash or pet waste dumped in drains or waterways
Helpful details: location, date and time, what you saw, and a photo if you can safely take one. You may report anonymously.
Village Hall / Public Works (Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM)
847-872-3846After hours — Police non-emergency
847-872-2131IEMA Hazardous Material Spills (24 hours)
800-782-7860Active spill, fire or danger to people
Call 911Permit Documents
The Illinois EPA general permit requires the Village to post its Notice of Intent, its Stormwater Management Program Plan, and its annual reports on the Village website. Annual reports are posted by June 1 each year and kept online for five years. Each report covers April 1 through March 31.
- Notice of Intent (NOI) for ILR40 coverageComing soon
- IEPA Coverage LetterComing soon
- Stormwater Management Program Plan (SMPP)Coming soon
- Annual Report, 2025–26 (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026)Coming soon
- Annual Report, 2024–25Coming soon
- Annual Report, 2023–24Coming soon
- Annual Report, 2022–23Coming soon
- Annual Report, 2021–22Coming soon
- Village Code of OrdinancesComing soon
- Lake County Watershed Development OrdinanceComing soon
Storm sewer system maps are available for review at Village Hall by request under the Freedom of Information Act. Detailed maps may be withheld from the website for security reasons, as the permit allows. Other program records are available during regular business hours.
How the Village Protects Stormwater
Winthrop Harbor operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, or MS4. This is the network of streets, curbs, catch basins, pipes, ditches and detention ponds that carry stormwater to local waterways and Lake Michigan. Under the federal Clean Water Act, the Illinois EPA requires the Village to run a program built on six minimum control measures. The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission serves as the Qualified Local Program and supports this work countywide.
Public Education and Outreach
We share information with residents, businesses and contractors on how everyday activities affect water quality.
Public Involvement and Participation
We hold at least one public meeting each year for comments on the program, support cleanup events, and take part in watershed groups working in our area.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
We map storm sewer outfalls, inspect them in dry weather, trace and remove illegal connections and dumping, and respond to reports within 30 days.
Construction Site Runoff Control
Sites disturbing one acre or more must use erosion and sediment controls and have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. The Village reviews plans and inspects before and during construction.
Post-Construction Stormwater Management
New development and redevelopment must include lasting controls that reduce runoff volume and pollutants, with preference for green infrastructure, plus long-term maintenance plans.
Pollution Prevention in Village Operations
Public Works trains staff yearly, sweeps streets, cleans catch basins, stores road salt under cover, and inspects Village facilities every quarter.
Annual Public Meeting
Meeting date and location will be posted here when scheduled.
Each year the Village invites public comment on the adequacy of its stormwater program. Comments may also be sent at any time to Public Works, 940 W. Broadway Avenue, or Village Hall, 830 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096.
Public Education: Keep It Clean
Stormwater picks up oil, fertilizer, pet waste, soap, sediment and salt on its way to the storm drain. None of it is treated before it reaches the lake. Small changes at home and at work add up across the whole village.
Our goals: reduce nutrients, bacteria, sediment, chlorides and oil entering the storm sewer system; prevent illegal dumping and connections; and increase the use of rain gardens, rain barrels and other practices that soak up rain where it falls.
Lawn and Garden Care
Extra fertilizer and pesticides wash off lawns and feed algae in the lake.
- Test your soil before fertilizing and use phosphorus-free fertilizer
- Never fertilize before heavy rain or on frozen ground
- Sweep clippings and granules off driveways and streets
- Keep leaves and yard waste out of gutters and ditches
Pet Waste
Pet waste carries bacteria that can close beaches and harm water quality.
- Pick up after your pet on walks and in your yard
- Bag it and put it in the trash
- Never put pet waste in a storm drain
Car Care and Outdoor Washing
Soaps, solvents and detergents flow straight to the lake.
- Use a commercial car wash, which treats its water
- If washing at home, park on grass and use a little biodegradable soap
- Wash patio furniture and siding with water only, or on the lawn
- Never pour wash water into the street
Oil, Fuel and Vehicle Fluids
One quart of motor oil can pollute a very large volume of water.
- Fix leaks and place a drip pan under leaking vehicles
- Recycle used oil and filters at auto parts stores
- Store fuel and oil indoors in sealed, labeled containers
- Clean small spills with kitty litter and throw it away
Paint and Home Projects
Paint, stains and thinners are toxic to fish and wildlife.
- Rinse water-based brushes in a sink, never outdoors
- Let leftover latex paint dry out before putting it in the trash
- Take oil-based paint and solvents to a household hazardous waste collection
- Cover and contain debris from home improvement projects
Winter De-Icing
Chloride from salt does not break down and builds up in local waters.
- Shovel first and salt only what is left
- A 12 oz. coffee mug of salt covers about 10 sidewalk squares
- Salt barely works below 15 degrees F, so use sand for traction
- Store salt covered and sweep up extra for reuse
Parking Lots and Outdoor Storage
Lots collect oil, litter and sediment that wash off with every storm.
- Sweep lots instead of hosing them down
- Keep dumpster lids closed and areas free of litter
- Store materials, fuel and chemicals under cover
- Maintain catch basins, oil separators and detention ponds
Spills and Illegal Discharges
Floor drains, wash water and grease often reach storm drains by mistake.
- Keep a spill kit on site and train staff to use it
- Make sure floor drains go to the sanitary sewer, not the storm sewer
- Never wash mats, equipment or vehicles where water reaches a storm drain
- Report spills to the Village and, if hazardous, to IEMA
Restaurants, Marinas and Auto Service
Grease, fuel and cleaning chemicals are common pollutants from these businesses.
- Store grease and used oil in covered, leak-proof containers
- Use dry cleanup methods for fuel docks and service bays
- Keep boat washing and maintenance away from the water
- Hire contractors who follow proper disposal practices
Landscaping and Snow Contractors
Commercial crews apply large amounts of fertilizer and salt.
- Calibrate spreaders and apply only what is needed
- Keep product off pavement and away from drains
- Get Salt Smart or similar winter maintenance training
- Store salt piles covered and on paved pads
Recognizing Illicit Discharges
Staff who know what to look for stop problems early.
- Watch for flow from storm pipes in dry weather
- Look for stains, odors, suds or oily sheen
- Share the Lake County illicit discharge video with employees
- Report anything unusual to the Village
Vehicle and Equipment Fleets
Leaks and wash water from fleets add up fast.
- Inspect vehicles for leaks and repair promptly
- Wash vehicles only in bays that drain to the sanitary sewer
- Keep fueling areas covered and clean
Before You Break Ground
- Sites disturbing one acre or more need IEPA ILR10 coverage and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- Submit plans for Village and Lake County WDO review
- Install erosion and sediment controls before land disturbance
- Post the NOI at the site
During Construction
- Maintain silt fence, inlet protection and stabilized entrances
- Keep soil exposed for as short a time as possible
- Sweep tracked mud from streets daily
- Contain concrete washout, paint, stucco and fuel
After Construction
- Stabilize the site with permanent vegetation
- Build post-construction controls as approved
- Follow the long-term operation and maintenance plan
- Use the Illinois Urban Manual for design standards
Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure uses plants and soil to capture rain so it soaks into the ground, evaporates or is reused. It reduces flooding and cleans runoff before it reaches the lake.
Benefits and cost savings: lower water bills when you reuse rain for gardens, less standing water and basement seepage, less erosion, lower long-term maintenance than lawn in wet areas, habitat for birds and pollinators, and cooler, greener streets. For developers, green infrastructure can reduce the size and cost of pipes and detention basins.
Rain Barrels
Place under a downspout to collect roof runoff for watering. Use a screened lid, empty between storms and disconnect before winter.
Rain Gardens
A shallow planted dip at least 10 feet from your foundation, sized to catch downspout water. Use deep-rooted native plants.
Native Plantings
Replace some lawn with native plants. Deep roots soak up far more water and need no fertilizer once established.
Permeable Pavement
Pavers, porous asphalt or gravel for patios and driveways let water pass through instead of running off.
Downspout Redirection
Point downspouts onto lawns or gardens, not driveways, so water can soak in.
Bioswales, Green Roofs and Trees
Vegetated channels, planted roofs and street trees slow and filter runoff on larger sites.
How to start: Call JULIE (811) before you dig, check that your project meets Village codes, and see the resources below for step-by-step guides.
Climate and Stormwater
Northern Illinois is seeing more frequent heavy rainstorms. More intense rain means more runoff, more street and basement flooding, more erosion along the bluffs and ravines, and more pollutants washed into Lake Michigan in a short time. Keeping drains clear, reducing paved surfaces and adding green infrastructure help our community handle larger storms. The Village considers these effects when planning drainage and flood control projects.
Why Illegal Dumping Matters
Storm drains are not connected to the wastewater treatment plant. Illegal connections, such as a sump pump carrying sewage, a floor drain, or a laundry line tied into a storm pipe, send untreated pollutants directly to waterways. Dumped oil, chemicals and yard waste harm fish and wildlife, can close beaches, and clog drains and cause flooding. The Village prohibits these discharges by ordinance and can require their removal. If you see a problem, report it using the contacts above.
Get Involved
- Join a beach, park or creek cleanup — upcoming events will be posted here
- Adopt your nearest storm drain by keeping leaves, trash and snow off the grate
- Attend the annual stormwater public meeting and share your comments
- Take household hazardous waste, electronics and medications to approved collection sites
Resources
- Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, NPDES Program
- Lake County Stormwater Best Practices
- Illicit Discharge Education Video (English)
- Video sobre descargas ilícitas (Español)
- SWALCO Household Hazardous Waste
- Salt Smart
- 22 Ways to Prevent Pollution — Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
- Soak Up the Rain — USEPA
- Stormwater Outreach Toolbox — USEPA
- Climate Change and Water — USEPA
- Illinois EPA MS4 Program (General Permit ILR40)
- Illinois EPA Construction Stormwater (ILR10)
- Illinois Urban Manual
- National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices — USEPA
Public Works
Village of Winthrop Harbor, Department of Public Works
940 W. Broadway Avenue, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096
Village Hall
Village Hall: 830 Sheridan Road — 847-872-3846 — Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
This program is required under Illinois EPA General NPDES Permit No. ILR40 and the federal Clean Water Act.