Storm Water Management Program

Stormwater is rain water that collects pollution before draining into our rivers, lakes and storm sewers. As the rain falls over house, streets and cars it collects chemicals, pesticides, tar, grease, and many other pollutants. This polluted water then serves as the drinking water for our plants and animals.

The Environmental Protection Agency Chapter 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 123.25, along with the State of Ohio require the city to prepare a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) to develop, implement and enforce a program designed to reduce the maximum number of pollutants collected from the rain water to satisfy the appropriate requirements of the Clean Water Act. The full Storm Water Management Plan can be viewed here.

The Council of the Village of Woodlawn approved Ordinance Number 12-2010 on June 29, 2010 providing the Village with the authority to control the quality of storm water discharge. This ordinance adopted the rules and regulations for the Hamilton County Storm Water District with respect to water quality control.

The SWMP also addresses the Six Minimum Control Measures (MCM) as required by state regulation that are expected to result in reductions in the adverse effects of storm water discharged by the Village of Woodlawn. The responsibilities of the Plan have been divided among different members, click here to view the organizational chart.

The Six Measures are:

Public Education and Outreach

This must target 5 different storm water themes or messages and reach at least 50% of the Village’s total population, at least one of these targets being in the development community. The Village must report each mechanism used to educate the community, including each storm water theme. The Village must also report the audience targeted and estimate how many people were reached through each mechanism.

Public Participation/Involvement

The Village recognizes that a successful storm water program relies on both the efforts of the government and the general public. The Village’s public involvement/participation programming must include at least five (5) public involvement activities over the permit term (one per permit year). Documentation of the number of people participating in events and a brief description of each activity is required by the permit. This will include maintaining involvement and public education components at the following established event and program: Environmental Field Day.

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

The Village of Woodlawn has already minimized the potential for illicit discharges to the storm water system through development of the ordinance number 12-2010. The Village has initiated an education program to increase public awareness of the storm water system and illicit discharge control. As the public education and outreach program results in greater awareness of the system, local citizens may become involved using the existing City website or the storm water hotline to report illicit discharge locations.
The permit requires the Village’s program to include or have included an initial dry-weather screening of all storm water outfalls over the permit term. The program must establish priorities and specific goals for long-term system-wide surveillance of its MS4, as well as for specific investigations of outfalls and their tributary area where previous surveillance demonstrates a high likelihood of illicit discharges. Data collected each year will be evaluated and priorities and goals will be revised annually based on this evaluation.

4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control

The Village of Woodlawn recognizes that the runoff from construction sites, if unchecked, can deposit enough sediment and pollutants to cause physical, chemical, and biological harm to the water ways
The permit requires that the Village’s program include pre-construction storm water pollution prevention plan review of all construction activities resulting in a land disturbance of greater than or equal to one acre. To ensure compliance, these construction sites must be initially inspected. The frequency of follow-up inspections are on a monthly basis unless the Village documents its procedures for prioritizing inspections, such as location to a waterway, amount of disturbed area, compliance of site, etc.

Post Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment

The Village seeks to effectively manage quantities of post-development flow, diminish the impact of the amount of resistant cover within its system and enhance existing storm water practices through inclusion of water quality components.
The permit requires that the Village’s program include pre-construction storm water pollution prevention plan review of all projects from construction activities that result in a land disturbance of greater than or equal to one acre to ensure post-construction storm water management controls are designed per the Village’s requirements. These sites must be inspected to ensure such controls are .installed per design. The Village’s program must also ensure that long-term operation and maintenance (O&M) plans are developed and agreements in place for these sites. These performance standards must be satisfied within two years of when coverage under this permit was granted.

Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

The Village of Woodlawn has a variety of programs in place for pollution prevention including, but not limited to, regular street sweeping, regular cleaning of catch basins and outfalls, and continued tracking of yard waste pickup.
The permit requires additional documentation regarding pollution prevention/good housekeeping, as indicated in the measurable goals section for this minimum control measure. The Village will monitor their materials use for maintenance activities under this MCM and will endeavor to seek improvements in materials and waste handling practices to generally minimize stormwater exposure (for materials that represent potential containments to stormwater runoff) and to generally minimize potential contamination of stormwater runoff.

How can you Help?

Dispose of household hazardous waste properly. Use non-toxic alternatives.
Dispose of used motor oil responsibly - recycle it!
Landscape with native plants to reduce the amount of water, fertilizers and pesticides.
Use pesticides and slow-release fertilizers properly, or non-toxic alternatives.
Wash your car at a car wash.
Sweep up grass clippings and all litter from driveways and sidewalks.
Correct erosion problems.
Dispose of trash properly.

For more ideas on how Businesses can help click here

For more ideas on how Residents can help click here

To report a Storm Water Problem call 513-771-6130.

For more information on Storm Water Management contact the Mill Creek Watershed Council.