United States Watershed Management Unit
Environmental Protection Water Division, Region V
Agency Chicago, IL
February 1991
vyEPA
Institutional Support for
Stormwater Management
Programs
Focus of Stormwater Management: Quantity
and Quality Control
he hydrologic effects of urbanization
have been manifest in the general
degradation of water quality, habitat,
and aesthetics, increased flooding
frequency, and stream erosion.
Historically, Stormwater management
has primarily focused upon the
control of flooding. The 1987 amendments to the
Federal Clean Water Act, however, mandate that
the role of Stormwater management be expanded
to include the protection of water quality. As a
result, Stormwater management programs are now
being initiated at state and local levels to address
both Stormwater quality and quantity issues.
Engineering approaches that were once used
to prevent flooding are now being re-evaluated
with respect to their effectiveness in the
preservation of natural stream systems.
Stormwater management programs have
expanded to involve a multidisciplinary team of
engineers, planners, and scientists concerned with
water quality, flooding, fisheries, and habitat
protection or enhancement.
Getting a Stormwater Management Ordinance/Program
Started
he process of implementing a
Stormwater management program
requires technical input in defining
the magnitude of the problem and
possible solutions, a mandate for
establishing the authority by which
Stormwater can be controlled, and
the creation of a funding mechanism to support the
implemented program. Figure 1 provides a general
overview of the process involved. The following is
a brief description of the steps leading to the
problem solution:
Problem Recognition
The first step is to identify the existence and
magnitude of existing and/or potential
stormwater-related problems. Local municipalities
are responsible for the quality and quantity of the
runoff leaving their jurisdiction. The impetus to
start a program can originate locally with the
identification of Stormwater problems, or it can
arise out of federal or state legislation mandating
Stormwater management.
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•PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT'
PROBLEM
RECOGNITION
NEEDS
ANALYSIS
PROGRAM
PLANNING"
IMPLEMENTATION
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
FUNDING
Figure 1.—Surface Water Management Process
The existence of stormwater-related problems
or legislative requirements leads to a formal
recognition by the elected officials and in turn
establishes the basis for developing the program.
The action taken on the part of the elected officials
can include the formal adoption of a policy on
stormwater or the passage of ordinances granting
the authority needed for the development and
funding of a stormwater management program.
Needs Assessment
The needs assessment serves to establish the
scope of the proposed program. It can include a
review of existing problems and/or projected future
problems, the definition of statutory authority and
legal responsibilities, and the identification of
jurisdictional boundaries.
The needs assessment culminates in a
statement of the goals and objectives for the
proposed stormwater management program. A
recent review of proposed federal requirements
concerning stormwater management and the
needs of local jurisdictions identified the following
goals for an "ideal" stormwater management
program designed to address stormwater quality
and quantity issues:
1. Protect water quality through the
implementation of urban nonpoint source
controls and best management practices;
2. Prevent any degradation in.high quality
waters;
3. Protect fish and aquatic habitat;
4. Apply consistent regulations and
enforcement throughout the region;
5. Control stormwater quantity to the maximum
extent necessary to prevent flooding;
6. Promote public education/involvement
programs; and
7. Coordinate with other environmental and
resource management programs.
Program Planning
Program planning defines the specific elements
needed to meet the goals and objectives of the
stormwater management program. Each element
needs to be defined in terms of scope, authority,
staffing, and funding.
The various elements that will be included in a
stormwater management program will vary
according to the goals of the program and the
types of problems the local jurisdiction is facing.
The following is a description of specific elements
that can be included in an ideal stormwater
management program:
• Information: Map elements of the stormwater
system and water features. Relevant information
includes drainage networks, stormwater control
facilities, the location and classification of streams
and wetlands, the locations of direct industrial
discharges and combined sewer outfalls, basin
boundaries, jurisdictional boundaries, flood plains,
existing and proposed land uses, and known or
potential water quality problem sites.
• Monitoring: Collect data to help direct
management decisions and/or provide support for
enforcement actions. Typical monitoring data
include water quality and streamflow
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measurements. The monitoring program should be
designed to address specific issues or problems
within individual basins. Short-term monitoring can
be used to establish the source of existing
problems or evaluate the performance of
implemented solutions. Long-term collection of
data can be used to identify trends.
• Ordinances: Institute ordinances to address the
quality and quantity of stormwater. Ordinances
pertaining to stormwater quality need to address
water quality at discharge points, nonpoint source
pollution, erosion and sediment control, spill
control, the prohibition of nonstorm discharges
from discharging to municipal stormdrains, the
protection of sensitive areas, and the ability to
enter into agreements with dischargers to
municipally owned systems. In terms of quality and
quantity, stormwater from new developments
should be detained and discharged at rates and
quality comparable to predeveloped conditions.
• Planning: Conduct studies to develop
comprehensive drainage basin plans. The plans
provide direction for land use issues and help to
establish the stormwater controls necessary on a
basinwide scale.
• Spill response: Create and maintain a spill
response/trouble call system that can respond to
water quality problems or chemical spills.
Coordinate spill response activities with federal,
state, and local authorities.
• Capital improvement projects: If necessary
and feasible, design and construct capital
improvement projects as a part of the stormwater
management program. Such projects can include
water quality treatment systems, conveyance
structures, or regional detention facilities.
• Operations and maintenance: Provide
adequate staff, equipment, and financial support to
ensure proper operation and maintenance of
stormwater management facilities. Activities can
include routine cleaning of catch basins, drainage
ditches, oil water separators, and
detention/retention ponds.
• Agreements with neighboring jurisdictions:
Enter into agreements with local jurisdictions
sharing stormwater management responsibilities
for a particular drainage basin.
• Education and public involvement: Educate
citizens and businesses about the effects of
stormwater. Provide convenient alternatives for
dumping wastes into stormdrains. Involve citizens
in routine monitoring programs.
• Enforcement: Provide a. means for
enforcement of established ordinances and permit
requirements. Define jurisdictional
authority/responsibility by area or type of
infraction. Use trained personnel to verify
compliance.
Implementation
Process by which the stormwater management
program is formally implemented depends upon
the enabling legislation granting
authority/responsibility to the local jurisdictions. In
some instances, the ordinances may be adopted
following public hearings. In other cases, a general
election may be required for passage. Separate
legislative guidelines govern the passage of
stormwater control-related ordinances and the
establishment of funding sources.
Funding
Funding is required for both the formation and
operation of the stormwater management
program. In terms of the long-term operation of the
program, the key funding issues are: (1) how much
money is required to fund the program each year,
and (2) how to support the program with a
consistent and dedicated funding base. Financing
alternatives can include the sale of bonds, the
formation of local improvement districts, the
creation of special districts, charges imposed on
developments, utility service charges, and/or
general tax revenues.
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Public Involvement
Public involvement is a key component throughout
the process. A citizen advisory committee should
be formed at the start of the process so that it can
take an active role in providing direction for the
stormwater management program. Periodic public
meetings during the process can help to educate
the public and also provide opportunities for
comment from the general public.
Problem Solution
The pathway shown in Figure 1 is presented as a
linear progression with the outcome being a
solution to the problems that initiated the process.
In practice, the pathway should contain feedback
mechanisms to allow the program to adapt to
changing needs. For example, monitoring that is
conducted to verify the performance of the
program can lead to changes in the approach or
solution to individual problems. Changes in a
federal or state policy concerning stormwater can
also affect the program goals.
V
TERRENE
INSTITUTE
This project was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Enforcement
an'd Permits-Water Permits Division and managed by Region V Watershed Management Unit-
Water Division. Prepared by Entranco Engineers, Inc. and JT&A, Inc. For copies of this publica-
tion, contact The Terrene Institute, 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC
20036, (202) 833-3380.
Printed on Recycled Paper
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