* To report a large spill or emergency situation, please immediately contact the Harrisonburg Fire Department and Police at 9-1-1.
* To report illicit discharges and illicit connections, please contact the Public Works Department at (540) 434-5928 or 
e-mail Public Works.
* To report construction site issues, e.g. erosion & sediment control problems, please call the Department of Planning & Community Development at (540) 432-7700.
* To report leaking sanitary sewer lines and other sanitary sewer related issues, please call the Public Utilities (Water) Department at (540) 434-9959.
If you are unsure who to call, please call the Police Department's non-emergency number: (540) 434-4436.
For general inquires feel free to contact Thanh Dang by e-mail or phone (540) 434-5928.
What are illicit discharges and illicit connections?
An illicit discharge is an unlawful act of disposing dumping, spilling, emitting, or other discharge of any substance other than stormwater into the storm drain system; such as catch basins, yard inlet, or lakes and streams.
Examples of illicit discharges include:
- Paint being poured into or near a storm structure
- Changing oil or antifreeze over or near a storm structure
- Discarding yard waste, e.g. leaves and brush, in or near a storm structure
- Draining chlorinated swimming pool water in or near a storm structure
- Water from a washing machine emptying into a yard
Solution - Alternative Disposal Methods:
- Water-based paints that have completely dried can be left curbside on your Bulk Pick-Up Day. Oil-based paints should be properly disposed at the Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.
- Place used motor oil into a leak-proof container with a screw top lid and put it out with your recycling bin. Motor oil and other automotive fluids can be take to many local auto parts stores or garages for recycling.
- The city provides curbside pickup of leaves and brush.
- City ordinance requires that swimming pools be drained into the sanitary sewer line. Call Public Utilities (Water/Sewer) for more info.
An illicit connection is an unlawful connection which allows the discharge of non-stormwater to the storm drain system or lakes and streams via pipe or other direct connection.
Examples of possible illicit connections:
- Floor drains going into the storm drain system
- Wash water from laundromats or carwashes tying into a storm drain system
- Pipe from a washing machine tying into a storm drain structure
- Sewer service pipe tying into a storm structure or emptying into Blacks Run
Solution - Alternative Disposal Methods:
- Have floor drains and washing machines properly connected to the sanitary sewer line. Call Public Utilities (Sewer/Water) for more information
- Many commercial car washes recycle their water, using it multiple times in early rinses before draining into the sanitary sewer line
