Stormwater Quality

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater runoff is precipitation that falls onto impervious surfaces such as roadways, driveways, parking lots and rooftops where it can accumulate pollutants, such as sediment, fertilizers, chemicals, oils, pet waste and trash. Instead of being absorbed into the ground, stormwater moves over these surfaces and makes its way into the drainage system and eventually into the Yampa River and its tributaries.

Did You Know?

Unlike sanitary sewers that carry wastewater to treatment plants, storm drains like these convey stormwater directly to rivers, ponds, and streams without treatment.

Stenciling2013

Illicit Discharges

It is illegal to dump or discharge pollutants into waterways. Illicit discharges may include fuel and chemical spills, hazardous material dumped along a roadway or into a storm drain, leaking dumpsters, discolored or foul smelling water, improper washing of concrete trucks, power washing to storm drains or waterbodies, leaking sanitary sewers, and other possibilities.

A storm water quality hose discharges into a drain

What Does the City Do To Prevent Stormwater Pollution?

The city administers a municipal stormwater program in accordance with its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4 Permit), to protect local waterways from pollutants found in urban stormwater runoff.

Program elements include:

  • Providing public education on stormwater quality and pollution prevention
  • Monitoring construction sites for erosion and sediment control
  • Requiring design standards for permanent water quality control measures
  • Assisting with response to spills or illicit discharges to the storm drainage system.
  • Implementing pollution prevention and best management practices for municipal operations.

What Can Your Household Do To Prevent Stormwater Pollution?

  • Pick up pet poop
  • Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly
  • Use bear proof trash containers
  • Dispose of paint and household chemicals and hazardous waste properly
  • Recycle Paint and other materials properly

Power Washing

Power Washing DescriptionStorm drain on street with stenciled fish and words reading, Dump no waste, drains to stream.

Wastewater from power washing must not be allowed to enter the storm sewer system and must be disposed of properly. Power washing combined with proper wastewater collection can prevent or reduce fine-grained sediment particles, anti-freeze, oil, paint, or trash from polluting stormwater. When services are contracted, this written procedure should be provided to the contractor so they have the proper operational procedures. In addition, the contract should specify that the contractor is responsible for abiding by all applicable municipal, state, and federal codes, laws, and regulations. 

Procedures 

  • Use dry methods for surface pre-cleaning, such as using absorbent on small oil spots and sweeping up trash, debris, dirt, and used absorbent before power washing. 
  • Minimize the amount of water used during power washing activities. 
  • Avoid using cleaning products that contain hazardous substances (e.g., hydrofluoric acid, muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, bleach) that can turn wastewater into hazardous waste. 

Wastewater Collection

  • Identify the locations of all storm drains in the area and place inlet protection or drain covers at all locations, as needed.
  • Locate high and low spots on the property to determine the area where wastewater will be pooled for collection. 
  • Equipment to contain and collect wastewater generated by power washing includes vacuum pumps, booms, berms, portable containment areas, weighted storm drain covers, inflatable plumber’s plugs, oil and water separators, holding tanks, portable sump pumps, hoses, and absorbent pads.
  • Avoid mixing non-hazardous wastewater with wastewater known to contain hazardous substances or hazardous levels of pollutants. 
  • Place an oil-absorbent mat or pad on top of collected wastewater to help reduce the amount of oil re-deposited on the surface of the collection area. 
  • Once wastewater has been collected, visible solids remaining in the collection area after liquids have evaporated must be swept up and properly disposed to prevent future discharges to the storm sewer system. 

Employee Training

  • Periodically train applicable employees who perform power washing activities on this written procedure. Information regarding how to avoid and report spills will be presented during the training

For more info: (970) 871-8205 or stormwater@steamboatsprings.net