Background Information
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or "Clean Water Act" established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. The Act made it unlawful for to discharge pollutants to waters of the United States from any point source is effectively prohibited unless the discharge is in compliance with an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Municipal and industrial storm water discharge is regulated under the NPDES Program. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) regulations require that storm water associated with industrial activity that discharges either directly to surface waters or indirectly through municipal separate storm sewers must be regulated by an NPDES permit. (Outside Link)
Carlsbad overhauls stormwater regulations (PDF; 103KB; 2pp.)
By BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will provide school districts with the tools to reduce pollutants contained in storm water discharge and comply with the requirements of the General Storm Water Permit.
The primary goals of the SWPPP will be to:
- Identify potential sources of pollutants that affect storm water discharge from the site.
- Describe the practices that will be implemented to prevent or control the release of pollutants in storm water discharges.
- Create an implementation schedule to ensure that the practices described in this SWPPP are in fact implemented and to evaluate the plan's effectiveness in reducing the pollutant levels in storm water discharges.
Storm Water (Urban) Runoff
Storm Water Pollution also known as Urban Runoff is a major source of surface water pollution in the United States, and is a problem that affects everyone. It closes beaches, can make our children ill, and threatens the health of marine and wildlife.
Urban run-off consists of water that has drained from man-made non-porous surfaces in densely populated areas. These surfaces consist of roads, freeways, sidewalks, roofed structures, parking lots, airports and industrial sites among others. Rain and other forms of irrigation washes these pollutants into storm drains and storm sewers which are then discharged directly into waterways so, many sources of discharge go uncontrolled and untreated, and ultimately flow into the ocean.
Chemicals from urban storm water run-off pose a potential threat to human health and an even greater threat to aquatic organisms, according to a nationwide study.
Urban runoff from new development can impact natural vegetation, increase runoff volumes and velocities, and result in greater pollutant loads in surface waters
Pollutants
The majority of water pollution now comes from sources other than industry. These common materials can harm our waters:
- Oil, fuel, and fluids leaked from cars
- Soaps from washing our cars
- Fertilizers from our lawns and gardens
- Oil, fuel, and fluids leaked from cars
- Sediments from a lack of erosion control
- Waste from our Pets
- Chemicals from our swimming pools
Storm Water Hotline - City of Carlsbad
(760) 602-2799 - Stormwater Hotline
(760) 602-4646 - Environmental Programs
To report complaints related to illicit stormwater discharge, call one of the Regional Stormwater Hotlines: (888) 846-0800 or (888) THINK-BLUE or log onto the regional on-line Stormwater complaint form (Outside Link) to report a violation.
