Urban Water Quality Issues - Assisting Municipalities in Implementing NPDES Phase II Stormwater...

Assisting Municipalities in Assisting Municipalities in Implementing NPDES Phase II Implementing NPDES Phase II

Stormwater ProgramsStormwater Programs

Wendi Hartup

&

Mitch Woodward

Area Environmental Agents

Phase II:Phase II:Burden for Small CommunitiesBurden for Small Communities

NPDES Phase II’s - 80% < 20,000 (40 < 5,000) Difficult for small municipalities to provide the

expertise and resources 116 Phase II jurisdictions have nearly identical permit

requirements

Needs of ‘Phase II’s’Needs of ‘Phase II’s’

• Seeking input at the beginning• ‘Turn – Key’ Training Needed for Staff• Workshops / Tours in convenient locations • Providing “how-to” guidance and specific

examples• Showcasing examples of effective stormwater

ordinances• Encouraging partnerships• Including Phase I’s in training

Improving Field Staff Understanding - Improving Field Staff Understanding -

Why did our city start this program?Why did our city start this program?

1. Because we have to! (Comply with federal & state rules.)

1. To protect local water quality.

2. To present a positive image to the community.

www.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwaterwww.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwater

Development Development ImpactsImpacts

on the Water Cycleon the Water Cycle

Development Development ImpactsImpacts

on the Water Cycleon the Water Cycle

50%50%50%50%10%10%10%10%

15%15%15%15%55%55%55%55%

Photos: Photos: NEMONEMO

Photo: Forest History Society

Phase II Six Minimum Phase II Six Minimum MeasuresMeasures

Goal: reduce pollutants in urban stormwater compared to existing levels in a cost-effective manner.

•Public Education and Outreach

•Public participation/Involvement

• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

•Construction Site Runoff Control

•Post-Construction Runoff Control

•Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping:Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping:

What is it?What is it?

Keeping our own local government facilities clean to reduce pollution to our streams and rivers.

www.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwaterwww.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwater

Where do these activities occur?Where do these activities occur?

Fleet Maintenance

Transfer Station

Animal Shelters

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Water Treatment Plant

Construction Debris Site

Transit Authority

Vehicle Wash Operations

Airport

Fleet Maintenance

Transfer Station

Animal Shelters

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Water Treatment Plant

Construction Debris Site

Transit Authority

Vehicle Wash Operations

Airport

Public Works Operations

Prisons

Emergency Service Facilities

Fire Stations

Landfills

Schools

Parks

Waste Recycling Centers

Pump Stations

Public Works Operations

Prisons

Emergency Service Facilities

Fire Stations

Landfills

Schools

Parks

Waste Recycling Centers

Pump Stations

www.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwaterwww.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwater

Fueling, washing and maintaining vehicles

Store used fluids properly.

Be aware of leaks nears drains!

Look for and correct leaks on or around equipment.

What are the differences between these two fueling stations?

What can you do to reduce pollution here?

www.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwaterwww.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwater

Have spill kits readily available and use them!

Avoid Situations Like This!

Storing materialsStoring materials

Used and Bulk Oil Storage: Well Maintained and Neat!

Neatly organized materials.

Moisture + Iron + Temps above 32F =

RUST !!!

Maintain curb and gutters free of soil and trash.

Handling garbageHandling garbage

Keep trash dumpster lids closed.Keep liquid and hazardous wastes out of dumpsters.

Good

Bad

Ugly

x

Maintaining streets, rights of way and parking Maintaining streets, rights of way and parking lotslots

Maintain curb and gutters free of soil and trash.

Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides in and adjacent to curbs.

Photo: NCSU TurfFiles Center

If you’ve got it, use it!

Landscaping and open spaceLandscaping and open space

Image: Cumberland Co. Cooperative Extension Center

Round-Up Gone Wild!Maintain a buffer zone of grasses or natural vegetation

between maintained turf and waterways.

Pollution Source?:

Yes

No

Don’t Know

A broom doesn’t always mean good housekeeping!

Don’t sweep or blow fertilizer or yard waste into the storm drain.

Spill ResponseSpill Response

Keep emergency contacts and dry clean up materials in vehicles.

Photo: HMHTTC

Main goal: Keep spills out of the storm drain.

Photo: Spill Containment Inc.

Keep spill response kits near potential spill areas.

For more information on Pollution For more information on Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping, see:Prevention/Good Housekeeping, see:

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/phase2/measure6.htm

The web site contains sample inspection forms for The web site contains sample inspection forms for different types of facilities (all approved by DWQ).different types of facilities (all approved by DWQ).

www.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwaterwww.ncsu.bae.edu/stormwater

Discharges into storm Discharges into storm drainage systems drainage systems (pipes, streams, (pipes, streams, ditches, water bodies) ditches, water bodies) which are not which are not composed entirely of composed entirely of stormwater and have stormwater and have not been permitted. not been permitted.

Illicit Discharges (IDs)Illicit Discharges (IDs)

Best Conditions for Finding Best Conditions for Finding IDs:IDs:

Prolonged dry periodsNon-growing season: fall – winter – early

springLow ground water levelsStop during rainfall

Key: No runoff event for the Key: No runoff event for the last 48 - last 48 - 72 hours72 hours

Eyes / Nose / Ears:Eyes / Nose / Ears: Use your eyes

- Materials dumped illegally into storm drains?- Small pipes draining and it hasn’t rained? - Spilled oil or paint, colored water, foam, floatables?

Use your nose- Unusual odors- Sewer smell- Detergent ‘clean’ smell- Fuel / oil

Use your ears - Small pipes draining and it hasn’t rained?

Note ‘Stream-side’ Activities -Note ‘Stream-side’ Activities - Construction Activity? Wastewater from sewers and septic systems? Vehicle maintenance activities? Industrial areas – commercial sites? Direct dumping

into storm drains

or streams?

What if you find something?What if you find something?

Fill Out Data Collection SheetInform Municipal Stormwater staff

"Quiz Time""Quiz Time"

Violation? Yes, this is an illicit dischargeWhat is it? Paint SpillCharge? Company owner was notifiedAction taken? Paint was cleaned that day!

Violation? Yes, this is an illicit dischargeWhat is it? Antifreeze dripping and flowing across the parking lotCharge? Multiple offences, met with district managersAction taken? Managers will send letter biannually to all shops about Illicit Discharge Ordinance.

Violation? NoWhat is it? Air Conditioning Condensation

Violation? Yes, this is an illicit connectionWhat is it? Discharge from residential washing machineCharge? First Offense, Letter of violation requiring cease dischargeAction taken? Property owner capped the pipes and discontinued use of washing machine

Violation? NoWhat is it? Bacterial Growth in almost Stagnant Water

Violation Yes, this is an illicit connectionWhat is it? Disconnection of sewer serviceCharge? First Offense, Letter of violation requiring property owner to fix the connectionAction taken? Public Utilities worked with property owner to repair the connection

Violations? Yes, this is an illicit discharge, but better to educate rather than fine.

What is it? Fertilizer and Lawn waste

DeliverablesDeliverables

The How to Do Phase II web site: (http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/phase2)

25 “How to Do Phase II” workshops Four “train the trainer” workshops Time Cost: 40 hours a piece to advertise, travel,

plan, make site visits, make slides and teach each workshop / tour.

OutcomesOutcomes 18 workshops 522 participants Participants included:

public utilities, town operations, stormwater, landscaping, facilities management, police, and fire.

5 illegal vehicle wash areas eliminated

Additional spill stations

Fuel dispensing standard operating procedures (SOP’s) developed

Improved site cleanup frequency

Improved stormwater BMP maintenance

New drain guards Re-designed their solid

waste transfer station New vehicle wash bays

Training value - $25-30 per participant

PartnersPartners – ‘How to Do Phase II’ – ‘How to Do Phase II’

Bill Hunt - Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Annette Lucas - Extension Associate Mitch Woodward - Area Environmental Agent Wendi Hartup - Area Environmental Agent Christy Perrin and Patrick Beggs - Watershed Education for

Communities and Officials Mike Randall - NC DENR Division of Water Quality

Stormwater Unit Chrystal Bartlett - NC DENR Stormwater Education and

Outreach Coordinator