Stormwater Management in Ottumwa
INTRODUCTION On October 18, 1972, the Federal "Clean Water Act" was established "... to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters." This act ensures that residents can be confident that their local communities are working diligently to protect the waters in their area. As part of the Clean Water Act, communities are required to meet certain guidelines for the proper management of stormwater. WHY MANAGE STORMWATER WHAT'S A MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the MS4 Permit System to address non-point source pollution. The MS4 stormwater discharge permit establishes guidelines for local governments to minimize pollutants in stormwater runoff to the "maximum extent practicable."
Stormwater is exactly what it sounds like. It is the rain or snow that falls during a storm. What most people don't realize is that in the journey from the sky to the ground to streams or the river, stormwater runoff picks up various chemicals and pollutants that can contaminate our waterways.
Non-point source pollution is created when pollutants from across the watershed are carried by stormwater into streams, lakes and rivers. For example, the oil and gas that drip from our cars, trash thrown out of the window and even pet waste deposited along the street is eventually is washed by stormwater into local waterways. This is one example of non-point source pollution.
MS4 is a "Municipal Separate Sewer System." MS4s are generally defined by the federal rules as a means of collecting or conveying runoff that do not connect with a wastewater collection system or treatment plant. This includes ditches, streets, curbs, gutters and storm sewers. MS4s flow directly to natural waterways.
WHAT IS THE CITY REQUIRED TO DO
There are six MS4 program elements, termed "minimum control measures" that, when implemented, are expected to result in significant reductions of pollutants discharged into receiving waters.
1 . Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts. The City is required to educate the public about the impacts polluted stormwater runoff discharges can have on water quality. You may have noticed information on GOTV about keeping storm drains clean and cleaning up pet waste. Our City Website also has information about stormwater management.
2. Public Involvement and Participation. Providing opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation. The City has established a Stormwater Advisory Committee that meets on the third Wednesday of each month. The City Engineering Department, in cooperation with student groups, has organized watershed cleanup projects.
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination. Developing and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm sewer system. This includes developing a system map and informing the community about hazards associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste. Smoke Testing is one method the City is using to locate and map discharges. Measures prohibiting illicit discharges were adopted into the City Code in July 2006.
4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control. Developing, implementing, and enforcing an erosion and sediment control program for construction activities that disturb 1 or more acres of land (controls could include silt fences and temporary stormwater detention ponds). The City Council passed this into law in January 2007.
5. Post-Construction Stormwater Management. Developing, implementing, and enforcing a program to address discharges of post-construction stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment areas. These controls include things like creating stormwater retention ponds and erosion preventative like structural swales. The City Council approved adding these requirements to the City Code in March 2008.
6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping. Developing a program with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations. Activities like regular street sweeping and cleaning storm catch basins are a part of this.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is the enforcement authority in Iowa. Officials from the DNR routinely inspect the City of Ottumwa for compliance and progress on these six minimum control measures.
WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY
The EPA now considers stormwater pollution to be a significant source of contamination in our nation's waters. Stormwater from developed areas erodes stream banks and smothers streambeds with sediment. Accumulated chemicals and bacteria flush off the land and into streams. Poor stormwater management can destroy stream life, pollute drinking water, increase flooding and damage property.
Americans enjoy a tremendous bounty in our nation's natural resources. Caring for our resources is a responsibility we all bear to ensure a continued legacy for future generations.
"A thing is right only when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the community; and the community includes the soil, water, fauna and flora, as well as the people." Aldo Leopold - born January 11, 1887 in Burlington, Iowa. Leopold was influential in the development of modern environmental ethics and is considered to be the father of wildlife management. Leopold died in 1948 from a heart attack while fighting a brush fire on a neighbor's farm.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND REFERENCES
Ottumwa Municipal Code
Chapter 31 3/4 STORMWATER
Article I. Discharge and Connection to the Storm Sewer System
Article II. Filling, Grading, Erosion and Sediment Control
Article III. Post Construction Stormwater Management
Link to the E.P.A.'s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System website
Link to the Iowa Stormwater Education Program
To report a stormwater concern, contact the City's Engineering Department at 641-683-0680 or file it online with the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities.
The City is working to educate the public about many of the issues relating to stormwater and how they can help in keeping our waters clean. Below are links to a leaflet and brochure that were mailed out to all sewer customers in Ottumwa. The Poster link shows slides shown on the City's Governement Access Channel (Cable Channel 6-GOTV).
Stormwater Informational Leaflet (pdf)
Stormwater Runoff Public Awareness Brochure (pdf)
Stormwater Runoff Public Awareness Posters
Other Internet Sources...since public education and outreach are requirements for the MS4 permit, most cities have information on their websites. A Google search of "MS4 Permit" will yield over 100,000 results from the EPA, state natural resource agencies and cities across the nation.