How the Storm Water Program Works
 

The goal of the NPDES program is to achieve nation wide reductions in water pollution. To accomplish this goal, the EPA released 6 Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) that had to be addressed within the permit application. The TCEQ will continue this method for its permit application as well. The operators of the MS4s are allowed to choose different best management practices (BMPs) specific to their organizations and area in order to reduce pollutants based on the MCMs. The rules are meant to reduce the amounts of common pollutants entering our waterways. Some of the common pollutants are: oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash, such as cigarette butts, paper/plastic wrappers, and plastic bottles. As you can see, the pollutants targeted by these regulations are coming from the residential sector of our nation. The MCMs are meant to address this sector, as well as work with other sectors, to bring about pollution reduction. The first MCM is Public Education and Outreach. By informing the public about the issues surrounding storm water, and the environmental and health problems associated with polluted water, we can build public support and increase compliance. People usually do not take part in activities they know to be harmful to their health, or the health of others. Therefore, this control measure focuses on making citizens aware of the impact of their actions. The second MCM is Public Participation and Involvement. Broader public support and a broader base of expertise are two of the benefits of getting the public involved in the Storm Water Program. Utilizing volunteers from the community helps by decreasing the costs of the program, decreasing the implementation schedule, and instilling a sense of ownership to the local community. The third MCM may be the most difficult for Denton County to implement. It is Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination. The County will be responsible for developing a map of its conveyances, connections from other structures, developing a plan to identify illicit discharges, ordinances to bring violators into compliance, and an educational component to increase the awareness of County employees, local business owners, and the general public about the risks involved with improperly disposing of materials.   The fourth and fifth MCMs deal with construction. The fourth MCM focuses on Construction Site Runoff Control. Since developers have their own permit requirements to meet, this MCM deals mostly with inspecting the construction sites to ensure they are in compliance with their own permits. The inspections will focus on identification of failed measures, and cooperating with developers and builders to repair, replace, or change control measures. The plans of developers will also be reviewed prior to development to ensure adequate erosion controls will be in place. The fifth MCM focuses on Post-Construction Runoff Control. This goal will be accomplished by ensuring that proper soil stabilization measures are in place, and agreements for adequate long term maintenance and operation of control structures have been made. The final MCM is Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping. This control measure requires self inspection and evaluation to ensure pollution reductions. An operation and maintenance plan will be developed and implemented to reduce pollutant runoff from County operations and County maintained storm sewer systems. Employee training on compliance measures for proper operation activities and maintenance schedules will ensure that the County is being an active participant in reducing the pollution of our waters.