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Stormwater

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1. Why all the fuss about stormwater now?

The City of Saint Peter must comply with a new unfunded mandate concerning stormwater regulations from the State of Minnesota which is enforced by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and federally by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These regulations require the City of Saint Peter to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge municipal stormwater into surface waters of the state (i.e. our creeks and rivers).

In order for the City of Saint Peter to comply with this permit the City must develop and implement six minimum measures to ensure that our stormwater is clean water. Clean water is not a matter of choice - it's a matter of health, and now complying with a NPDES permit. These permits require cities to do six things:

1. Conduct outreach and education about polluted stormwater runoff
2. Provide opportunities for residents to participate and be involved in conversations and activities related to reducing polluted stormwater runoff
3. Detect illicit discharges (e.g. straight piping or dumping)
4. Control construction site runoff
5. Control post-construction runoff
6. Perform municipal housekeeping (e.g. take steps to prevent runoff from city buildings and activities)

2. What is stormwater runoff?

Stormwater runoff is water from rain or melting snow that “runs off” across the land instead of seeping into the ground. This runoff usually flows into the nearest stream, river, lake or ocean. The runoff is not treated in any way.

3. What is polluted runoff?

Water from rain and melting snow either seeps into the ground or “runs off” to lower areas, making its way into streams, lakes and other water bodies (rivers). On its way, runoff water can pick up and carry many substances that pollute water. Some - like pesticides, fertilizers, oil and soap – are harmful in any quantity. Others - like sediment from construction, bare soil, or agricultural land, or pet waste, grass clippings and leaves - can harm creeks, rivers and lakes in sufficient quantities.

In addition to rain and snowmelt, various human activities like watering, car washing, and malfunctioning septic tanks can also put water onto the land surface. Here, it can also create runoff that carries pollutants to creeks, rivers and lakes. Polluted runoff generally happens anywhere people use or alter the land. For example, in developed areas, none of the water that falls on hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, parking lots or roads can seep into the ground. These impervious surfaces create large amounts of runoff that pick up pollutants.

The runoff flows from gutters and storm drains to streams. Runoff not only pollutes' but erodes stream banks. The mix of pollution and eroded dirt muddies the water and causes problems downstream.

4. What is nonpoint source pollution?

Nonpoint source pollution is another term for polluted runoff and other sources of water pollution that are hard to pinpoint. The term “nonpoint source pollution” comes from the Federal Clean Water Act of 1987. There, it is used as a catch-all for all kinds of water pollution that are not well-defined discharges (point sources) from wastewater plants or industries.

Many state agencies have nonpoint source (NPS) management programs that address polluted runoff. It serves as the central coordinating agency for the many NPS-related programs operated by various agencies. Minnesota for example has an established Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan.

5. What causes polluted stormwater runoff?

Polluted stormwater runoff generally happens anywhere people use or alter the land. People going about their daily lives are the number one source of stormwater pollutants. Most people are unaware of how they impact water quality. Some common examples include:

• Excessive pesticide use
• Letting oil drip out of their vehicles and littering
• Not picking up pet waste
• Over fertilizing lawns
• Using salt or fertilizer to de-ice driveways

Developed areas in general, with their increased runoff, concentrated numbers of people and animals, construction and other activities, are a major contributor to nonpoint source pollution, as are agricultural activities. Other contributors include forest harvesting activities, roadways, and malfunctioning septic systems.

6. Why do we need to manage stormwater and polluted runoff?

Stormwater management is necessary for many reasons:

• Because more water runs off hard surfaces, developed areas can experience local flooding. The high volume of water also causes streams banks to erode and washes the wildlife that lives there downstream.
• Polluted stormwater runoff is a cause of water pollution in Minnesota. In most cases in Minnesota today, stormwater either does not receive any treatment before it enters our waterways or is inadequately treated.
• Polluted water creates numerous costs to the public and to wildlife. As the saying goes, “we all live downstream.” Communities that use surface water for their drinking supply must pay more to clean up polluted water than clean water.
• Polluted water hurts the wildlife in creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. Dirt from erosion, also called sediment, covers up fish habitats and fertilizers can cause too much algae to grow, which also hurts wildlife by using up the oxygen they need to survive. Soaps hurt fish gills and fish skin, and other chemicals damage plants and animals when they enter the water.
• The quantity of stormwater is also a problem. When stormwater falls on hard surfaces like roads, roofs, driveways and parking lots, it cannot seep into the ground, so it runs off to lower areas. To give you an idea of the difference a hard surface makes, consider the difference between one inch of rain falling onto a meadow and a parking lot. The parking lot sheds sixteen times the amount of water that a meadow does.

7. How is stormwater and runoff "managed"?

Best Management Practices

"Best management practices" (BMPs) is a term used to describe different ways to keep pollutants out of runoff and to slow down high volumes of runoff.

Preventing pollution from entering water is much more affordable than cleaning polluted water! Educating state residents about how to prevent pollution from entering waterways is one best management practice. Laws that require people and businesses involved in earth disturbing activities - like construction and agriculture - to take steps to prevent erosion are another way to prevent stormwater pollution. There are also laws about litter, cleaning up after pets and dumping oil or other substances into storm drains.

Education / Laws

Education and laws are just two best management practice examples. Some BMPs are constructed to protect a certain area. Some are designed to slow down stormwater, others help reduce the pollutants already in it - there are also BMPs that do both of these things.

Constructions

Detention ponds hold water so it infiltrates into the earth during rain events they fill up quickly after a rainstorm and allow solids like sediment and litter to settle at the pond bottom. Then, they release the water slowly. These ponds are one constructed BMP example. Green roofs, storm drain grates, filter strips, and permeable paving are other examples.

8. If it only affects streams and creeks, why should I care?

When we pollute our water, everyone is affected:

• If you like to fish, swim or boat, you may have heard or been affected by advisories warning you not to swim, fish or boat in a certain area because of unhealthy water or too much algae.
• Money made from tourism and water recreation can also be impacted, as are businesses and homes flooded by stormwater runoff.
• Shellfish like clams and oysters cannot be harvested from polluted waters, so anyone that enjoys these foods or makes a living from the shellfish industry is affected.
• Streams and creeks feed into rivers, lakes and the ocean. We all drink water, so we are all affected when our water is polluted. When water treatment costs rise, the price of drinking water goes up.

9. What is a stormwater fee and why do I have one?

The State does not charge residents for stormwater management. Stormwater fees are one way municipalities can choose to raise funds to perform the six steps required by the State and Federal government. Cities can implement fees to administrator pollution prevent programs.

10. How does this benefit the average taxpayer?

When our water is polluted, we all pay in one way or another:

• Damage from urban flooding can raise merchant prices and insurance rates.
• Sediment and pollution laden water takes more money to treat before it can be used for drinking water.
• Shellfish become more expensive and harder to harvest when shellfish beds close.
• Tourism and recreation businesses suffer along with residents when swimming, fishing and boating are curtailed.

Because everyone plays a role in creating the pollution in stormwater runoff, we all have a role in cleaning it up.

11. What can I do to make a difference at home and reduce the amount of stormwater pollution?

Amazingly enough, you can make a huge difference in stormwater quality by simply changing a few practices at home. Here are six easy steps:

1. Wash your car on the lawn
2. Mulch your grass clippings and leave on the lawn
3. Sweep dirt from your driveways and sidewalks onto the lawn, pick up debris and put in the trash
4. Pick up your pet waste and put it in the dumpster
5. Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and always follow the suggested application rate, never apply chemicals before a rain
6. Take leftover paint, used oil, and leftover chemicals to the Tri-County drop off Center

Remember, we all live downstream.

12. How else can I help reduce stormwater pollution in my area?

Attend public hearings or meetings on the topic so you can express your concerns. Report stormwater violations when you spot them to your local government. Keep learning about polluted stormwater runoff and tell a friend!

13. What is a catch basin or storm drain?

A catch basin or storm drain is a curbside drain with the sole function of collecting rainwater from our properties and streets and sending it through underground piping to our local waterways. Storm drains can also be found in parking lots and serve the same purpose. In county and city areas, that water never goes to the sewer treatment plant to be cleaned, but flows directly into our creeks and rivers.

14. Are sewers and storm drains the same things?

Not in the City of Saint Peter. In the City of Saint Peter sewers and storm drains are two completely different drainage systems. Sewers carry wastewater from such things as washing machines, sinks, toilets, and showers to a treatment plant to be cleaned prior to being discharged into the Minnesota River. The storm drain system collects rainwater, and anything else dumped into it, and carries it to either a detention basin or directly to the Minnesota River.

15. Do catch basins and storm drains get cleaned out?

Yes, the City of Saint Peter regularly performs maintenance activities including cleaning of the storm drain system. In addition, the City of Saint Peter crews are always available to respond to emergency situations where clogged drains result in localized flooding.

16. Why doesn't the City of Saint Peter clean out all of the storm drains before a storm?

City crews clean out clogged catch basins throughout the year as part of ongoing maintenance. Unfortunately, there are just too many catch basins (1,118) and not enough time. Residents can reduce flooding in their neighborhoods by keeping material out of the storm drain system or clean debris around catch basins when performing landscape maintenance.

17. Why doesn't the City of Saint Peter install filters or screens in front of the catch basins?

It sounds like a good idea, but during a rainstorm, debris (e.g. leaves, sticks, trash) is quickly swept to the catch basin and any screen or filtration device placed in front of it would clog the grate and result in flooding.

18. Why isn't a net/fence/barrier installed at the end of the storm drain channel to catch all of the trash?

Unfortunately, nets only catch larger pieces of trash - all of the pollutants like pet waste, used oil, paint, pesticides, etc. flow through the net and straight into our waterways.

19. What kinds of pollutants are found in the storm drain system?

To name only a few, the following can be found in the storm drain system:

• Antifreeze
• Clothes
• Cooking Oil
• Dirty Diapers
• Grass Clippings
• Human and Animal Feces
• Leaves
• Motor Oil
• Paint Thinner and Paint Products
• Paper
• Pesticides
• Plastic Containers
• Shopping Carts
• Tennis Shoes
• Tires
• Trash

20. What should I do if I see a neighbor throwing trash, used oil or paint into a storm drain?

The storm drain system is for the sole purpose of collecting rainwater overflow. Dumping trash, pollutants and debris in the catch basins is illegal and is a Federal violation of the Clean Water Act of 1972. A neighbor may not understand the catch basin's direct connection to the Minnesota River and all of our other waterways. It may be just a matter of making them aware of the impact to our community and our drinking water.

Oils & Paints

Dumping used oil and paint is illegal. One quart of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. Paint also contaminates our waters. City staff would be more than happy to provide information to your neighbor.

Report Problems

To report the problem call the Department of Public Works at 507-934-0670.

21. How can I properly dispose of left-over paints, thinners, chemicals, etc.?

Tri-County Waste accepts hazardous materials for disposal.

22. Is it okay to wash my car on the driveway if I use a biodegradable soap?

No. Cleaning products, even if they are biodegradable can still be toxic to fish and stimulate algae and plant growth.

One option is to have vehicles cleaned at a commercial car wash where wastewater flows through sand and oil traps. When washing your car at home, pull it up on the lawn or a graveled area where water will leach into the ground instead of flowing into the street gutter and the storm drains.

Always use biodegradable soaps when washing a vehicle and conserve as much water as possible. Shut off water while washing your car, then rinse.

23. Yard clippings and leaves are natural, so they don't cause any problems, right?

Wrong. Grass, leaves and yard clippings that are repeatedly swept into catch basins can clog the drain, causing localized flooding and become a potential breeding ground for rodents and insects. Additionally, when this material reaches our creeks and rivers, it decomposes and robs the surrounding water of oxygen.

The cumulative affect of numerous residents putting leaves, grass and yard clippings into the street gutter or storm drain can be overwhelming. It can turn clean stormwater into a rotten, black, stinky soup that then enters our creeks and rivers.

24. Is there a fine/penalty for illegal dumping?

Yes. The fine will vary depending on which local or state agency assesses the fine. There are numerous Federal, State, and municipal laws that prohibit illegal dumping, especially when it affects surface water quality.

The City will investigate all reports of dumping of material into the storm drain system. Anyone caught dumping can be cited and a fine imposed.

25. How does pet waste left on the grass affect stormwater?

Pet waste can be picked up by snow melt or rain as it travels into the street gutter and down the storm drain, carrying with it bacteria and other harmful materials into our creeks and streams.

The dog population in the Saint Peter area is estimated to be 710 animals, creating nearly 355 pounds of solid waste every day. Even though you can't see it, the fecal coliform contained in pet waste can have a cumulative affect with hundreds if not thousands of people sending their pet waste into the stormwater.

Stormwater is not treated, so this material flows directly into our creeks and river, where our children play, swim, and fish. Disposing of pet waste properly is key to keeping our creeks and river safe.