In 1972, Congress enacted the Clean Water Act. Since then, local and state governments have worked with industries and wastewater treatment plants to reduce “point source” pollution to improve the quality of receiving waterways. However, as these pollutants were brought under control, it became evident that other sources of pollution existed. These “nonpoint-source” pollutants were reaching our lakes, rivers, and streams from agricultural runoff, urban runoff, stream channelization, mining, land disposal, and construction site runoff. To address these sources, the United States Environmental Protection Agency initiated the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase I and Phase II storm water programs.

Nonpoint-source (NPS) pollution comes from stormwater runoff from our yards, streets, development sites, and agricultural fields. This runoff drains into streams, rivers, and groundwater, carrying pollutants with it. NPS is responsible for over half of the poor water quality in the United States.

The NPDES Phase I required large jurisdictions to come into compliance with specific storm water mandates. Phase II required smaller jurisdictions, such as those comprising the Regional Storm Water Collaborative, to come into compliance by 2008. The mandate issued by the USEPA is comprised of six minimum control measures:

1. Public Information and Education - Each jurisdiction is required to educate the public about storm water quality issues including erecting signs at major tributary crossings.
   
   
2. Public Involvement and Participation - Each jurisdiction must involve the public in storm water projects, such as storm drain tagging and stream cleanups, and provide a way for the public to report storm water problems.
   
   
3. Illicit Discharge Detection - Each jurisdiction must develop, implement, and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges, develop a storm sewer map, and develop a map of all septic systems.
   
   
4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control - Each jurisdiction must develop, implement, and enforce a program to address pollutants in storm water runoff from construction activities.
   
   
5. Post-Construction Storm Water Management - Each jurisdiction must develop, implement, and enforce a program to address storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment projects.
   
   
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping - Each jurisdiction must develop and implement an operation and maintenance program, including training, to prevent or reduce pollutant runoff from municipal operations.
   
   

Each jurisdiction was required to apply for a five-year storm water permit by March, 2003. Jurisdictions had to develop storm water management plans approved by the Ohio EPA. With the end of the first permit period, the Ohio EPA is revising their requirements, and Districts will have to rewrite their plans to comply. To see a copy of your jurisdiction’s current plan, find your district under Contact.