Lewiston council adopts illicit-discharge/stormwater ordinance to meet MS4 permit requirements

Lewiston City Council on combined second and third readings approved Ordinance 4934, which enacts a new article into Chapter 36 of the Lewiston City Code to regulate discharges to the city's stormwater drainage system and to prohibit illicit connections and discharges.

Public Works Director Dustin Johnson explained the ordinance implements requirements associated with the city's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Johnson said the current permit cycle does not yet require sampling but that such requirements can increase over time as the state or federal permit evolves.

The ordinance requires notification of spills, authorizes city access to regulated facilities, and establishes enforcement remedies. Clerk Brockie read the ordinance enactment and summary language after the council voted to waive the full third reading.

Councilor Wright asked whether ordinary activities such as car washing or draining a pool could be considered illicit discharges; staff replied that, by the letter of the law, such runoff could fall under the illicit-discharge prohibition, although enforcement on minor, inadvertent incidents is unlikely to be escalated to misdemeanor charges absent blatant violations.

The council approved the ordinance by voice vote. The ordinance includes misdemeanor-level penalties and provides an effective date in the adoption language.

What this means for residents: the city will now have an explicit illicit-discharge ordinance that supports its MS4 compliance and gives staff tools for education and enforcement. Staff advised the council that public outreach and engagement will be part of implementation.

The ordinance adoption was moved and seconded by councilors as part of regular legislative procedure; further implementation and enforcement details will be handled by Public Works staff.