City of Oconomowoc Storm Water Management

Water pollution and contaminated storm water runoff degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act and administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States.

In the state of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) program in accordance with EPA regulations. The City of Oconomowoc is a mandatory participant in the WPDES program and submitted a storm water permit application to the DNR in March of 2003. The City received their storm water permit in November of 2006, at which time the City began operating under the corresponding permit terms and conditions.

The purpose of the storm water permit is to encourage communities and residents to take an active role in preventing pollution from storm water runoff. Potential sources of pollution include parking lot and street wash off, illegal dumping of chemicals into the storm sewer system, improper pet waste cleanup, agricultural runoff, fertilizer and pesticide over application, failing septic systems and many other sources. Since all storm water in Oconomowoc ultimately ends up in our local lakes and rivers, the community as a whole has a responsibility to protect our pristine waters.

The minimum requirements of the City's WPDES permit are summarized in the six control measures listed below:

* Public education and outreach on storm water impacts:

Develop and implement a program to educate the public on impacts of storm water discharges on water bodies and the steps necessary to reduce storm water pollution.

* Public involvement and participation:

Develop and implement a public participation program to assist in the implementation reduction of storm water pollution.

* Illicit discharge detection and elimination:

Develop and implement a program, including ordinance revisions, prohibiting illicit sewer connections or discharges (including dumping), creates sewer maps, and offers public education on the hazards of illicit discharges.

* Construction site storm water runoff control:

Develop, implement, and enforce a program, including ordinance revisions, to reduce storm water pollution from construction activities.

* Post-construction site storm water management in new development and redevelopment: Develop, implement, and enforce a program, including ordinance revisions, that addresses storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment, generally using structural and nonstructural best management practices (BMPs).

* Pollution prevention / good housekeeping for municipal operations:

Develop and implement a program that considers pollution prevention and good housekeeping measures for maintenance activities, street runoff controls, storm sewer waste disposal, and flood control management projects.

The City of Oconomowoc is committed to protecting and enhancing our local waterways. For more information or to see how you can help, please visit the following websites or contact the City's Department of Public Works.

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/nps/stormwater/muni.htm

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwatermonth.cfm

http://runoffinfo.uwex.edu/

http://www.cwp.org/index.html