Storm Water Program Information
 

The EPA has announced that one of the greatest pollutants to nation's waterways is urban runoff. The Clean Water Act was passed in 1977, and since it was passed the EPA has regulated different types of water polluters. In 1998, Congress compelled the EPA to create a system to regulate small to medium sized communities, those with populations less than 100,000. In the State of Texas, the TCEQ has assumed responsibility for the program, known as Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), or TPDES for Texas. The County was identified as a regulated community because there are "urbanized" areas within unincorporated Denton County. Once TCEQ releases its permit requirements, the County will have to submit a plan detailing the actions it will take to reduce the potential for water pollution throughout the unincorporated area. Storm Water is defined by the EPA as: any water that flows during, or following, any form of natural precipitation, and is a result of such precipitation, including snow melt. When it rains, a portion of the rain is absorbed by the soil and eventually flows down into aquifers, or groundwater reservoirs. What is left becomes runoff and flows overland into streams. Along the way, the water can dissolve substances, and move objects from the land into the lakes and streams of the area, as well as transporting substances into groundwater supplies. This results in pollution of our waters. One of the biggest problems facing American waters is urban runoff. The different substances the water picks up and takes into our streams from urban areas can create a pollute our waterways such that they harm fish and other aquatic organisms, including plants. This can also have a negative effect on the quality of drinking water, and our ability to use the lakes and streams as areas for recreation. Degrading the quality of water can also lead to a decrease in fish populations, making it more difficult to catch fish, or lead to a consumption ban on fish that are caught. The bottom line is that by preventing pollution from entering our waterways, we do not have to worry about the adverse things happening. The Denton County SWMP is a multi-departmental coordinated effort to try to prevent the pollution of our waters. It will be coordinated through the Public Works Department, but will include actions performed by employees in Human Resources, Extension Services Office, Fire Marshal's Office and many others. It will be composed of Best Management Practices (BMPs) designed to reach measurable goals of 6 Minimum Control Measures (MCMs). More information about these requirements can be found through the links provided at the SWMP intrasite homepage. It is possible that as a County employee you will attend training to increase awareness about activities in your department that have the potential to affect water quality. For the most part, positions assisting in the implementation of the program have been approached and their duties identified. The primary duty of offices outside of Public Works will be assistance in compiling information for an annual report to TCEQ. The purpose and goal of the Storm Water Management Program is to keep the waters of the area clean for all of Denton County's citizens. Regardless of where your water is coming from, storm water runoff has the potential to impact the quality of your life. Increasing awareness of the processes that create runoff, where our water is coming from, where it goes, and how we can ensure our waters stay clean are the foundation of the program. It is a young program, but an important program for the security of water resources for the future.