Storm Water

Storm water runoff is our most common cause of water pollution. Unlike pollution from industry or sewage treatment facilities, which is caused by a discrete number of sources, storm water pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Rainwater and snowmelt run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites and pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates storm water discharges under the Clean Water Act’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.  The NPDES regulations cover discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), certain industrial activities, and construction activities that disturb one acre or more of land.  The information provided here describes the regulatory requirements for MS4s and construction activities involving one acre or more of disturbed land.  Information about industrial activities can be found at EPA’s home web site for NPDES http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/index.cfm.

MS4s

The Storm Water Phase II Final Rule (December 8, 1999) requires operators of regulated (MS4s) to obtain a NPDES permit and develop a storm water management program designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed by storm water runoff in bodies of water. Bernalillo County was required to submit an application for a permit in March 2003 [1].  This application included a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (Plan) that includes the following six minimum control measures:

    ·     Public Education and Outreach 
    ·     Public Participation/Involvement 
    ·     Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
    ·     Construction Site Runoff Control 
    ·     Post-Construction Runoff Control 
    ·     Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

The Annual Storm Water Report for FY2004 identifies what Bernalillo County is doing to implement the Plan.  In addition, the County is currently conducting voluntary storm water monitoring at four locations, Sanchez Farms, Adobe Acres, Paseo Del Norte, and Alameda, to collect baseline data on potential pollutants that may be in storm water runoff.  

Construction Activities

On March 10, 2003, new regulations came into effect that extended coverage to construction sites that disturb one to five acres in size, including smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale. Sites disturbing five acres or more were regulated previously.  Operators of regulated construction sites are required to develop and implement storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and to obtain permit coverage from EPA. More information about components of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan can be found at

http://cfpub1.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/const.cfm

Bernalillo County has adopted a Storm Water Ordinance that places additional requirements on construction activities that disturb one acre or more.  Please contact Brian Kent at 848-1500 for further information on storm water and construction activities.