Discharging anything into the stormdrain system is illegal
Lenexa’s stormdrain system is a complex series of inlets and pipes that eventually drains to ponds, lakes and streams. The gutters on your street are not treated for pollution, so it’s vital to make sure only rain goes down the drain.
The Federal Clean Water Act requires municipalities in urban areas to control water pollution. In 2006, the City of Lenexa adopted Article 4-5-J, Illicit Discharges to Storm Sewers and Surface Waters, which specifically prohibits the discharge or dumping of pollutants into the city’s stormdrain system. The ordinance protects the health and safety of residents, preserves the economic and ecological value of our water resources and complies with the city’s NPDES permit.
Prohibited pollutants include:
- trash
- yard waste
- lawn chemicals
- pet waste
- wastewater
- petroleum products
- cleaning products
- paint products
- hazardous waste
- sediment from exposed ground
What should I do if I see someone dumping into a drain?
If you notice a strange substance flowing into a stormdrain inlet or see someone pouring something into a storm sewer, please call the Municipal Services Department at 913.477.7680 to report the location. Common signs of pollutants are strange odors, colors in the water or an odd sheen on its surface.
If the incident is on a weekend or after business hours, please use Johnson County’s online form or 24-hour hotline, 913.715.6900.
Illegal dumping of trash, chemicals, yard waste and other substances into stormdrains is against the law. The act is punishable under state and federal law as a violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA). In addition, the act is a violation of Lenexa’s municipal codes and ordinances that prohibit dumping of garbage and wastes onto roadways or into the stormdrain system.
How trash and leaves affect stormdrains
No matter where you live, there's a drainage system in place to help stormwater find its way to the river. Stormdrains, ditches and culverts all are prone to blockage, and leaves and trash are the prime culprits.
Leaves and trash in stormdrains can:
- alter drainage patterns by blocking flows and pipes, which can cause street flooding
- pollute and damage our streams and waterbodies
- cause downstream properties to flood
Need more information?
Additional information can be found in Lenexa’s Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) program plan.