Indiana's efforts to clean up the waters in the State have been going on for a long while now. Beginning with the Stream Pollution Control Law of 1943, followed by the Clean Water Act of 1972, limits have been placed on the amount of pollutants that may be discharged into the waters of the State. These limits are set at levels protective of both the aquatic life in the waters which receive the discharge and protective of human health.

In 1990, the rules got a little stricter. EPA set up a basic stormwater control program for states to adopt, known as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program. "Phase I" of this program regulated:

  • Construction activities that disturbed 5 or more acres.
  • Industrial activities depending on their pollutant potential
  • Municipal activities serving over 100,000 people

By 1999, the EPA was ready to implement "Phase II" of the NPDES program, and it published new regulations that covered:

  • Construction activities disturbing one (1) or more acres of land area.
  • Incentives for facilities to protect their operations from stormwater exposure.
  • Municipalities with less than 100,000 people.

They were really getting down to the nitty-gritty now, but the benefits to communities would be worth it:

  • Improved water quality
  • Safer waters for boating, swimming and fishing.
  • Reduced local drinking water treatment costs.
  • Fewer recreational beach closures.
  • A more desirable environment in which to live.

What's happening in Indiana as a result of Phase II?

Indiana established a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Program (MS4 Program), based on Phase II of the EPA's NPDES stormwater regulations. Under this program, communities are required to apply for and obtain a NPDES permit. The permit requires them to develop a stormwater management plan and to implement best management practices (stormwater pollution prevention measures).

The MS4 regulations apply to any entity that discharges into the waters of Indiana and that owns and/or operates a stormwater conveyance that is separate and not connected to a publicly owned treatment works or part of a combined sewer system (remember...stormwater does not normally go to a treatment plant). This covers not only cities and towns, but also public entities such as universities, military bases, and departments of transportation. By the way, a conveyance is just what the name says - a means of conveying or carrying water flow such as:

Roads with drainage systems
  • Municipal streets
  • Catch basins (curbside openings)
  • Curbs
  • Gutters
  • Ditches
  • Channels
  • Storm drains

Modular paver blocks serve as pervious paving system in this commercial parking lot in West Des Moines, Iowa. This practice allows storm water to infiltrate into limestone and underlying soils instead of directly into storm sewers.

What's happening in Floyd County? See below for Floyd County ordinances, permits, and forms.

Municipalities within the county that fall under the new Phase II and MS4 regulations will be complying with program requirements, and will be:

  • Increasing public awareness of stormwater pollution.
  • Eliminating illegal connections and discharges to storm sewer systems.
  • Increasing sediment controls at construction sites.
  • Requiring controls in new development to remove pollutants from stormwater.
  • Improving pollution prevention from community facilities, such as maintenance garages, equipment areas, and work areas.

Details of the Phase II regulations can be found on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) - Office of Water Quality web site:

Urban Wet Weather Programs for Storm Water

Storm Water General Permit Rule 13 - Storm Water Runoff Associated with MS4 Conveyances

Storm Water General Permit Rule 5 - Storm Water Runoff Associated with Land Disturbing Activity Urban Wet Weather Programs for Storm Water

Rule 5 Project Site Owner’s Continuing Responsibility - includes a step by step summary of IDEM's permit process for project site owners.

Does Your Construction Site Need a Stormwater Permit?

This is a handy reference guide for operators, detailing why operators need permit coverage, where to get it, and what you should do once you obtain it.

Stormwater and the Construction Community

An Overview of Requirements for Rule 13 and Rule 5

Stormwater Management Manual

Offers guidance on Best Management Practice (BMP) selection, design, and implementation to developers, engineers, reviewers, construction site operators, and site inspectors. Also includes guidance materials for activities at commercial and industrial facilities.

Index to Manual Contents

 

Floyd County Erosion Control Ordinance

Floyd County Illicit Discharge Ordinance

Perimeter/Outfall Protection Permit Application

Post-Construction Stormwater Management Ordinance

EPSC Contractor Inspection Form

Fee Schedule

 

 

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