The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program is a Federal (EPA) and State (MPCA) mandated program with the goal of working toward cleaner water resources.  The MS4 program (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) is focused on storm water discharge from cities and other government and agency owners of storm sewer systems. 

The NPDES MS4 program is intended to focus the attention of cities and their citizens on measures that will improve water quality in storm water runoff.  Improving storm water quality will help improve the water quality of our lake, river, and wetland water resources.  Public education and outreach is a large component of this program.

Reducing Non-Point Source Pollution

Non-point source pollution is contamination that comes from general wide-area sources, such as municipal storm sewer systems, rural farms or other non-specific sources.  Non-point pollution is generally carried to our water resources during rain storms.  In urban area, pollutants, such as oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash, flow untreated through storm sewers into our surface waters.  These pollutants accumulate over time and can degrade the quality of our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands.  The end result may be impaired recreational use, contaminated drinking water supplies, and/or loss of habitat, fish, and wildlife.  To improve water quality throughout the country, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a storm water management program (Non-Point Discharge Elimination System or NPDES) to guide local governments.  This program focuses on reducing the amount of urban pollutants in cities with 100,000+ residents and also other cities or local jurisdictions with special water resource concerns.

In accordance with the EPA's storm water management program, Sauk Rapids is committed to the following 6 objectives (Minimum Control Measures) for improving water quality:

* Public Education - distributing educational materials and performing outreach to inform citizens of reasons to control storm water runoff and improve water quality.

* Public Participation and Involvement - providing opportunites for citizens to participate in storm water program development and implementation.

* Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination - developing and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the City's storm water system.

* Construction Site Runoff Control - developing, implementing, and enforcing a sediment and erosion control program for construction activities.

* Post-Construction Runoff Control - developing, implementing, and enforcing a program to address discharge of post-construction runoff and appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs).

* Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping - developing and implementing a program with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations.

In 1972, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which established the NPDES program, was enacted.  The NPDES program relates to the discharge of wastes from point sources to surface waters.  The Federal Water Pollution Control Act was amended in 1977 and became known as the Clean Waters Act (CWA).  In 1987 the CWA was again amended to add Section 402, which established a framework for regulating discharges from MS4s as a special category of point source discharges under the NPDES program.  In 1990, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated regulations for permitting MS4s serving a population of 100,000 or more.  These regulations, known as the Phase 1 regulations, require operators of medium and large MS4s to obtain storm water permits.

The EPA adopted the NPDES Phase II Storm Water regulations as a Final Rule in December 1999.  The Phase II regulations address storm water discharges from MS4s with a population of less than 100,000 (Small MS4s).  These regulations require operators of small MS4s, as designated by the EPA, State agencies, or the Regional Water Quality Control Boards to permit their discharges under the NPDES.  The MN Mpca adopted the General Permit for Small MS4s on March 10, 2003.  The General Permit requires the mandated small MS4s to submit Notice of Intent application and a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).  The MN permit was revised and re-released on June 1, 2006. 

The above information was taken from the City of Santa Maria, CA, website.  http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/stormwtr/docs/santa_maria_swmp.pdf

Web Sites:

Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency--Minnesota's Stormwater Manual

Resource Information
University of MN provides training and information resources for Erosion and Sediment control practices statewide.
http://www.erosion.umn.edu/courseresource.htm

Erosion and Sediment Control Inspection Training Workshops
http://www.erosion.umn.edu/courses/default.htm

Organizations with information and interest in Erosion and Sediment Control:

Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA)
http://www.mnerosion.org/

The NPDES MS4 program includes 6 Minimun Control Measures (MCM) that are intended to help cities more uniformly establish storm water management practices and goalsl.  These MCMs, goals and references are:

1. Public Education and Outreach
The City will distribute educational materials and perform outreach activities to inform citizens about the impacts that polluted storm water can have on water quality.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=min_measure&min_measure_id=1

2. Public Participation/Involvement
The City will provide opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation by publicizing Public Hearings and/or encouraging citizens to comment on the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP).

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=min_measure&min_measure_id=2

3. Illegal Discharge Detection and Elimination
The City will implement a plan to detect and eliminate illegal discharges to the storm water system.  A system map has been created and the hazards associated with improper disposal of waste will be publicized.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=min_measure&min_measure_id=3

4. Construction Site Runoff Control
The City will continue to implement and enforce an erosion and sediment control program for construction activities.  Typical control include silt fences and temporary or permanent sediment ponds.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=min_measure&min_measure_id=4

5. Post Construction Runoff Control
The City will continue to implement and enforce a program that addresses post-construction storm water runoff.  This program includes preventative actions such as protecting sensitive areas (e.g. lakes, wetlands) through Ordinances and/or the use of sediment traps such as treatment ponds, grassed swales, or infiltration practices.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=min_measure&min_measure_id=5

6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
The City will implement a program to prevent or reduce pollutants in runoff from City operations.  The program includes staff training on pollution prevention measures and techniques (e.g. regular street sweeping, reduction in the use of pesticides or street salt, frequent catch basin cleaning).

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/omdex.cfm?action=min_measure&min_measure_id=6

Water is one of our most important natural resources.  To keep our environment healthy for the next generation it is necessary to understand how we can protect and conserve our surface and ground water resources.

What you use on land will likely end up in the water.  You can help protect our lakes, streams, and wetlands by:

* Keep litter, leaves, grass clippings, and fertilizer off hard surfaces and away from nearby water bodies.  These items are easily washed into nearby lakes and ponds through the storm drain system and can be harmful to a water body.

* Only fertilize as needed.  Most lawns only need to be fertilized once or twice a year.  Use low (3% or less) or zero phosphorus fertilizer when you do fertilize.  Most lawns in Sauk Rapids do not need additional phosphorus.

* Establish a natural buffer zone (20 feet or more) adjacent to ponds and lakes.  These buffers help keep nutrients from entering our water resources.

* Maintain a healthy lawn.  Mow grass to a height of 2-3 inches, seed in the spring, aerate and de-thatch in the fall.

* Use lawn chemicals sparingly.  Consider pulling, digging, or spot treating weeds.

* Pick up pet feces.  They add harmful bacteria and parasites to runoff water.

* Never dispose of oil, paints, solvents, or other household chemicals in the streets or storm drains.  What goes in the storm drain goes directly to our water bodies without treatment.

You can help conserve water by taking the Clean Water Pledge:

* Use water saving appliances and low or reduced flow plumbing fixtures (showerheads, faucets).

* Repair leaking faucets, toilets, hoses, etc.

* Wash your car only when necessary.  Consider a commercial car wash, which tends to use water more efficiently.

* Properly water your lawn or garden.  Adjust your watering to the weather.  When you do water, water thoroughly.  A typical lawn needs 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water once a week.  For a typical sprinkler, that means about 2-3 hours.

* Avoid watering in the heat of the day.  The best times to water are from 6:00-10:00am or 6:00-10:00pm.