Stormwater Management
What is Stormwater and why is it important?
Stormwater is water that originates during precipitation events. It may also be used to apply to water that originates with snowmelt that enters the stormwater system. Stormwater that does not soak into the ground becomes surface runoff, which either flows directly into surface waterways or is channeled into storm sewers, which eventually discharge to surface waters.
Stormwater is of concern for two main issues: one related to the volume and timing of runoff water (flood control and water supplies) and the other related to potential contaminants that the water is carrying, i.e. water pollution.
What is a Stormwater Management Plan?
National and State stormwater regulations require certain small communities to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The City of Smithville is affected by the Phase II Stormwater regulations. Phase II regulations expanded the program to include communities as determined by population size, and land disturbance on one acre or greater.
The permit requires that communities with regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) have a Stormwater management program in place.
The MS4 program has six elements termed “minimum control measures” which when implemented should result in a significant reduction in pollutants discharged into receiving waters. The six minimum control measures (MCM) are outlined below.
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation/Involvement
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
City of Smithville's Stormwater Management Plan
In October 2021, the City of Smithville MS4 2021-2026 permit became effective. In December 2021, the Board of Aldermen adopted the 2021-2026 Stormwater Management Plan.
As part of the MS4 permit, the City of Smithville is required to submit annual reports to the Department of Natural Resources.