The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The goals of the NPDES are to improve the environment by improving the water quality of municipal stormwater systems which ultimately discharge into national waters. The City of Evans is responsible for developing and enforcing six minimum control measures to meet the requirements of the NPDES Stormwater Phase II program. These six measures include: public education and outreach, public involvement/participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site stormwater runoff control, post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.
What is Phase II?
Phase II is the next step in EPA's effort to preserve, protect and enhance the Nation's water resources from polluted storm water runoff. It is a federally mandated program that affects those municipalities with populations less than 100,000. On March 10, 2003 these municipalities were required to apply for and obtain a general permit for the stormwater runoff from residential, commercial & industrial areas into streams, lakes and rivers. The City of Evans is required to be in compliance with this general permit.
Why is the Phase II Stormwater Program necessary?
It is a federally mandated program of the EPA administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division. Although the water quality of our Nation's waterways have improved over the years, water bodies are still impaired and do not meet water quality standards set forth by the EPA as outlined in the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Will I need to get a NPDES permit?
Residential property owners will not need to get a NPDES permit. Construction activity that disturbs an acre or greater must comply with the approved Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) for the construction site.