Stormwater
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and
snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not
percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or
impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building
rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other
pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is
discharged untreated. The programs listed below are responsible for
the management of stormwater in Florida.
Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for
drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by
the Clean Water Act, the Florida NPDES program controls water
pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into
waters of Florida. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as
pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a
municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface
discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial,
municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their
discharges go directly to surface waters. Since its introduction in
1972, the NPDES permit program is responsible for significant
improvements to our Nation's water quality...
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The Nonpoint Source Management Program is responsible for the implementation of the
State of Florida's nonpoint source management programs. These programs are
implemented cooperatively by the Department of Environmental Protection, Florida's water
management districts, other state agencies (i.e., Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, Department of Health), local governments, and by the public. The goal of these
programs is to minimize nonpoint source pollution ("Pointless Personal
Pollution") from new land use activities and to reduce pollution from existing
activities... more
The Environmental Resource Permit Program regulates
activities involving the alteration of surface water flows. This
includes new activities in uplands that generate stormwater runoff from
upland construction, as well as dredging and filling in wetlands and
other surface waters. Two wetlands regulatory programs exist at the
state level: a dredge and fill (wetland resource) permit program (WRP)
within the limits of the Northwest Water Management District and an
environmental resource permit (ERP) program throughout the rest of the
state. Environmental Resource Permit applications are processed by
either the Department or one of the state's water management districts,
in accordance with the division of responsibilities specified in
operating agreements between the Department and the water management
districts. The Environmental Resource Permit Program is in effect
throughout the State except for the Florida panhandle (within the limits
of the Northwest Florida Water Management District)...
more
Stormwater