Illinois Plumbing Code Practice

Discharges from toilets must connect to sanitary sewer systems and not directly to storm drains due to important health and environmental considerations. Sanitary sewer systems are designed to handle human waste and other wastewater, ensuring proper treatment and disposal. These systems reduce the risk of contamination and promote public health by processing sewage appropriately. In contrast, storm drains are designed for managing stormwater runoff, such as rainwater and melting snow. If toilet discharges were allowed to connect directly to storm drains, it could lead to significant contamination of local waterways, posing risks to both human health and the environment. This is particularly critical in urban areas where combined sewer overflows can occur, potentially polluting larger bodies of water. The connection of toilet discharges to sanitary systems ensures that all sewage is treated adequately before being released back into the environment, thus adhering to proper plumbing practices outlined in the Illinois Plumbing Code.