Storm Water Management

Storm Water Runoff

Storm water runoff is rain water that travels over roadways and rooftops to catch basins without absorbing into the ground. The water is not treated and goes directly into Merced County's waterways. Along the way, it picks up pollutants such as motor oil, antifreeze, paints, pet waste, car wash water, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are practiced to stop pollutants from entering Merced County's waterways.

Federal Clean Water Act

The Federal Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972 to make the discharge of pollutants to any waterbody in the United States unlawful. On April, 30, 2003, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) elected to enact the SWRCB Water Quality Order No. 2003-0005-DWQ to enforce that. Under the SWRCB Water Quality Order No. 2003-0005-DWQ, Merced County was tasked with creating a Storm Water Management Plan that outlines the BMPs to achieve the removal of pollutants from storm water to the maximum extent possible.

Control Measures

The BMPs are delineated in the following six control measures (1) public education and outreach on storm water impact program, (2) public involvement / participation program, (3) illicit discharge detection and elimination program, (4) construction site storm water runoff control program, (5) post-construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment program, and (6) pollution prevention/ good housekeeping for municipal operations.

Water Quality Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ

As of February 5, 2013, the SWRCB adopted SWRCB Water Quality Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ to modify the existing SQRCB Water Quality Order No. 2003-0005-DWQ. Ordinance No. 1923: Stormwater Ordinance was enacted by Merced County to carry out the enforcement measures found in the SWRCB Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ.

Resources

• State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Order No. 2003-0005-DWQ
• 2007 Storm Water Management Program
• State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ
• Ordinance No. 1923: Stormwater Ordinance
• Improvement Standards and Specifications

Related Links

• California State Water Resources Control Board
• California State Water Resources Control Board Storm Water Program
• California Storm Water Quality Association
• Center for Watershed Protection
• Guidelines for Construction Projects, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region, Association of Bay Area Governments
• International Erosion Control Association
• International Storm Water BMP Database
• Storm Water Quality Manuals and Handbooks, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center
• Storm Water Manager's Resource Center
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Nonpoint Source Pollution
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Water Education Foundation

Storm Water 101 for Construction Site Operators

Please sign up via : Stormwater Awareness website

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