Storm Water Management Plan
颁厂鲍厂惭鈥檚 Storm Water Management Plan aims to prevent or reduce the potential discharge of pollutants into 糖心原创 storm
drains. Storm water is rainfall or any surface runoff that is discharged through storm
drain. Before storm water is discharged through the storm drain, it may pick up debris,
dirt, chemicals, or other pollutants as it flows through impervious streets, parking
lots, facility yards, or building rooftops. Unlike regular sewer drain systems, any
possible storm water contaminants discharged through the storm drain system are untreated
and ultimately enters local waterways, such as rivers, lakes, and bays.
The SWMP is designed to identify potential sources of environmental pollutants that
would significantly alter stormwater discharge, and to provide Best Management Practices
(BMP) to reduce the discharge of pollutants into the storm drain system.
Report Non-Storm Water Discharges
Anything that discharges into a storm drain that is not composed entirely of storm
water is a non-storm water discharge (e.g., irrigation water runoff, clean tap water,
car washing).
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
糖心原创 owns and operates a system of conveyances (curbs, bioswales, ditches, catch
basins, manholes, and pipes, etc) intended to collect stormwater and direct it to
outfall locations for release into local waterways. 糖心原创 is designated as a municipal
separate storm sewer system (MS4), and has been required to obtain coverage under
the State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). As per requirements in the general permit, the
University has developed a Stormwater Management Program plan (SWMP), incorporating
minimum control measures designed to help the University maintain and improve the
quality of the stormwater that is discharged from its conveyance system. One of the
minimum control measures in the SWMP focuses on the detection and elimination of illicit
discharges to the storm sewer system.
- What is an 鈥淚llicit Discharge?"
The term 鈥渋llicit discharge鈥� is defined in the EPA鈥檚 Phase II stormwater regulations
as 鈥渁ny discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) that is not comprised
entirely of stormwater, except discharges pursuant to an NPDES permit and discharges
resulting from fire fighting activities鈥�. Illicit discharges are considered 鈥渋llicit鈥�
because MS4s are not designed to accept, process, or discharge such non-stormwater
wastes. Common sources of illicit discharges include, but are not limited to: Sanitary
wastewater; Effluent from septic tanks; Sediment from construction sites; Car wash
wastewaters; Improper oil disposal; Laundry wastewaters; Improper disposal of automobile
and household toxics; Yard waste; Pet waste; and Shop floor drains that are connected
to the storm sewer.
- Why are Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Efforts Important?
Discharges from MS4s often include wastes and wastewater from non-stormwater sources.
In fact, studies have shown that up to one half of the water discharged from some
MS4s was not attributable to precipitation runoff. The result is untreated stormwater
discharges that contribute high levels of pollutants, including heavy metals, toxics,
oil and grease, solvents, nutrients, viruses and bacteria to receiving water bodies.
Pollutant levels from these illicit discharges have been shown in EPA studies to be
high enough to significantly degrade receiving water quality and threaten aquatic,
wildlife, and human health. In order to protect wildlife habitat and public health,
糖心原创 has a written SWMP to give direction on how to manage stormwater, including
a section devoted to the Prohibition of Illicit Discharges.
- What can I do?
Students, staff, and faculty can seriously impact the quality of the stormwater discharged
from a storm sewer system. By keeping our campus free of litter and properly disposing
of any waste, 糖心原创 can positively affect the local waterways that our stormwater
ends up in. If you see or suspect an illicit discharge to our conveyance system, please
fill out the Wufoo form and SHS safety specialists with work with Facility Services
to inspect and mitigate any illicit discharge.
During normal business hours: e-mail shs@csusm.edu or call (760) 750-4502.
After business hours: Call University Police (760) 750-4567.
Best Management Practices (BMP's)
糖心原创 has categories of BMPs to prevent potential storm water pollution from campus
for outside work activities. Follow BMPs for your work area and activities. Help 糖心原创
implement the Storm Water Management Program by following Best Management Practices
(BMPs)
- Common pollutants addressed in the BMPs
- Oil and grease from roadways and parking lots
- Wash water from outdoor cleaning activities
- Sediment from construction sites and erosion
- Discarded trash such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles
- Metals from roadway runoff (e.g., tires and brake pads)
Best Management Practices References
Links to Local and State Agencies