Stormwater Management Program

The City of McMinnville was issued an NPDES Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) Permit effective July 1, 2003.  The Permit requires the City to implement six minimum control requirements for Stormwater runoff.  They are:
  • Public Education and Outreach on Storm Water Impacts
  • Public Involvement/ Participation
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  • Construction Site Storm Water runoff control
  • Post-Construction Storm Water management in New Developments and Redevelopments
  • Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
EPA for KIDS

The City was required to adopt an ordinance prohibiting illicit discharges into the Stormwater sewer system and establishing a regulatory mechanism for a construction site runoff control program including Pre-Construction and Post-Construction developments. 

A Stormwater Permit is required for any person (s) involved with land disturbance.  A permit application can be obtained from the Planning & Zoning Department (931) 473-1204.  On average, allow at least three days for review process to occur.

What to include with the Stormwater Permit.

1.            Application

2.            Site Plan (Including Proposed Development)

3.            Grading Plan (Contour Lines including destination of Dirt to be moved)

4.            Drainage Plan (Existing Pre-Construction and Post-Construction)

What is Stormwater Runoff?

 

Stormwater runoff is simply rain water or ice and snow melt that runs off the land into streams, rivers, and lakes.  When stormwater runs through polluted sites it picks up pollutants and transport them into water ways.

           

What is a Water Shed?

 

A geographical area which drains to a specified point on a water course, usually a confluence of streams or rivers (also known as drainage area or river basin).

 

Why is a Water Shed Important?

 

Protecting watersheds can prevent water quality problems like these:

  • Pesticides found in local wells
  • Fish population decline
  • Polluted streams, creeks and rivers
  • No swimming sign on creeks and rivers

 

What are Illicit Discharges?

 

The definition of illicit discharge is any substances discharge into the municipal seperate storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater and poses a threat to water or public health or safety.

 

Common sources of Neighborhood Illicit Discharges.

 

Generating Site

Activity Generating the Discharge

Vehicle Operations

Improper disposal of fluids down shop and storm drains

(Maintenance, Repair, Fueling,

Spilled fuel, leaks and drips from wrecked vehicles

Washing, Storage

Hosing of outdoor work areas

 

 

 

Wash water from cleaning Spills

 

 

Outdoor Materials

Liquid Spills at loading areas

 

 

(Loading / unloading, Outdoor Storage)

Hosing / washing of loading aeas into shop or storm drains

 

Leaks and spills of liquids stored outside

 

Waste Management

Spills and leaks of liquids

 

 

(Spills prevention and response,

Dumping into storm drains

 

 

Dumpster management)

Leaking dumpsters

 

 

 

Physical Plant Maintenance

Discharges from power washing and steam cleaning

(Building Repair, Remodeling and

Rinse water and wash water discharges during cleanup

maintenance, Parking lot maintenance)

Runoff from degreasing and re-surfacing

 

Turf and Landscaping

Non-target irrigation

 

 

 

(Turf Management, landscaping &

Improper rinsing of fertilizer/pesticide applicators

grounds Care)

 

 

 

 

Unique Hotspot Operations

Discharge of chlorinated water from pools

 

(Pools, Golf Courses, Marinas,

Dumping of sewage and grease

 

 

Construction, Restuarants,

 

 

 

 

Hobby farms)

 

 

 

 

 

What You can do to Help?

 

  • Dispose of pet waste properly
  • Limit use of pesticides and fertilizers
  • Plant native vegetation
  • Carefully choose where to wash your car
  • Properly maintain your vehicle
  • Properly recycle and dispose of household chemicals

 

The Storm Water Management Program Hotline.

 

The hotline number is (931) 473-1204 and is dedicated to the collection and processing of citizen complaints concerning any water quality concerns surface and water quality issues.

If your complaint addresses actual flooding and/or high water issues on your property or roadways caused by blocked drainage ways, please call the Public Works Department at (931) 473-2553.

 

 

Please provide us with any feedback you may have on Stormwater and Water Quality issues in your neighborhood at email:  pzmcminn@mcminnvilletenn.com

 

 

Additional Development Resource Links:

 

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

http://state.tn.us/environment/ /

 

Tennessee Erioson Prevention & Sediment Control

http://tnepsc.org/

 

MTSU - Center for Environmental Education:

http://www.tennesseewaterworks.com/

 

Construction BMP Manual: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/wpc/sed_ero_controlhandbook/

 

Post-Construction BMP Manual: http://eerc.ra.utk.edu/divisions/wrrc/BMP/StructBMPs/D.%20Filtering%20Systems/F-04.doc