NPDES Info

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Federal and State Regulations

As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Phase II of NPDES, published in the Federal Register December 8, 1999, requires NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges from regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s).

NPDES Phase II requires regulated communities to develop a plan to address 6 major program elements regarding stormwater quality, referred to as Minimum Control Measures (MCMs). They are:

  1. Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts
  2. Public Involvement/Participation
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
  5. Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment
  6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

In Indiana, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is the permitting authority. In response to the federal regulations, IDEM developed Rule 13, which details permitting requirements within the state of Indiana. Under the Rule 13 Program, Tippecanoe County, Lafayette, West Lafayette, Battle Ground, Dayton, Purdue, and Ivy Tech of Lafayette are required to implement controls designed to prevent harmful stormwater pollutants from being washed into local water bodies, and have chosen to do so as a cooperative team.

 

Employee Training

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) training for all employees that handle or manage chemicals, trash, mow grass, or other pollutant sources such as gasoline, that could release pollutants into stormwater.