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The Environmental Protection Agency developed storm water regulations under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program that requires a storm water permit be issued for pre-determined Iowa communities, known as Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) entities. In addition to the permit a storm water management plan is required that outlines how the community (MS4) will work to improve urban water quality while addressing six minimum control measures. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the NPDES permit program in Iowa.
Phase I, promulgated by EPA in 1990, covered medium and large municipalities (i.e. populations over 100,000), construction sites over 5 acres in size, and 10 categories of industrial activity.
Phase II, which went into effect March 2003 is the next step and covers smaller municipalities, urban areas adjacent to municipalities, and construction sites over 1 acre.
Phase II Rule sets forth the following three primary requirements for these smaller municipalities and adjacent urban areas:
1. Develop, implement and enforce a storm water management program designed to minimize the discharge of pollutants into receiving waters.
2. Ensure that the program includes provisions to address six minimum control measures to promote pollutant load reduction.
3. Identify appropriate storm water treatment practices with measurable performance criteria. NPDES Storm Water Permit Information six minimum control measures...
Public Education and Outreach The permitted MS4 is required to work towards establishing an informed & knowledgeable community, which is crucial to the success of a storm water management program.
Public Participation and Involvement The permitted MS4 is required to create opportunities for the public to provide valuable input and assistance in the development and implementation of a storm water management program.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination The permitted MS4 is required to develop and implement a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm water system.
Construction Site Runoff Control The permitted MS4 is required to develop, implement, and enforce a sediment and erosion control program for construction activities.
Post-Construction Runoff Control The permitted MS4 is required to develop, implement, and enforce a program to address discharges of post-construction runoff and specifies appropriate storm water best management practices.
Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping The permitted MS4 is required to develop and implement a program to prevent / reduce pollutant runoff from municipal operations.
Issued Permits:
If you have any questions / comments please contact: Pat Sauer, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) 800-810-4268 or psauer@iamu.org |
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