Planning / Highway Department Storm Water Plan
The Storm Water Management Plan is jointly managed by the Planning Department and Highway Department.
- Construction / Best Management Practices (BMP's)
- Illicit Discharges
- Other Resources
- Pollution Prevention
- Pollution Sources
- Storm Drain System
- Urbanized Areas
What is Storm Water?
Storm Water is water from precipitation (such as rain or snowmelt), over-irrigation from sprinklers, wash water from hoses or hydrants, any other water that flows over the ground surface and enters a drainage way. This water picks up debris, sediment, nutrients, bacteria, and other pollutants that eventually flow, untreated, into creeks, streams and rivers. Impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, rooftops, and streets prevent storm water from soaking into the ground and therefore produce runoff.
Why does Pennington County have a Storm Water Management Program?
As a result of federal regulations, referred to as the Phase II Storm Water Rule, storm water discharges from small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) are required to obtain a storm water permit for their system. Pennington County was issued such a permit.
As part of the storm water permit, Pennington County is required to develop and implement a Storm Water Management Program. The program must address and implement the following control measures:
- Public education and outreach;
- Public participation/involvement;
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination;
- Construction site storm water runoff control;
- Post-construction storm water management; and,
- Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations