Compliance with the Hilliards City Code is part of the city’s responsibility Clean Water ActIts. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination SystemAllow with the Ohio Environmental Protection AgencyThe city is updating its Stormwater Management Program.
The SWMP’s overall goal is to improve the quality and quantity of city surface water features by reducing stormwater runoff pollution. This permit process takes place every five years. Jeff Cox is the city’s project engineer and local multidisciplined consultants assist. EMH&T.
Stormwater discharges are permitted from the Hilliards NPDES permit Municipal Separate Storm Sewer SystemThe MS4 is a conveyance or system of conveyances that can be used to transport storm water into state waters. The MS4 is a conveyance, or system of conveyances (including roads, catch basins and storm drains, roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basings, curbs gutters ditches, ditches, storm drains, constructed channels, storm drains, storm water collection or conveyances), that are owned or operated solely by the municipality.
Hilliard is home to a population less than 100,000 people. Ohio EPA small NPDES broad permit. The general permit allows for the development, implementation and enforcement of a SWMP to reduce pollutants from the small MS4 to a maximum extent. The SWMP was designed to incorporate best-management practices and six minimum control measures.
MCM 1 Public education.
MCM 2 Public involvement/participation
MCM 3 Illicit discharge detection & elimination
MCM 4 Construction site stormwater runoff control
MCM 5 Stormwater management post-construction
MCM 6 Pollution prevention/good Housekeeping for Municipal Operation
Additionally, and where applicable best-management practices are selected in order to address U.S. EPA’s total maximum daily load (TMDL) for water-quality issues associated with MS4 discharges within city MS4 watersheds. TMDLs are used to identify and assess water-quality issues in impaired water bodies, and then propose solutions.
Hilliard is found within the Scioto and Big Darby Creek waters. A TMDL has been established for the Big Darby Creek watershed that identifies total phosphorus as well as the bacterium E.coli as TMDL pollutants. Total phosphorus is caused by fertilizer application and stormwater runoff on impervious surfaces. E.coli is caused by failing home sewage-treatment system, broken sanitary drains, and poor pet-waste management.
Each of the six MCMs in the city’s permit renewal will be updated. This includes the use of social media to educate and inform residents about SWMP updates, workshops, public programs, community cleanup events and inspections, as well as staff training and service department staff training.
The proposed Hilliard SWMP can be found on the city’s website hilliardohio.gov/were-listening-city-seeks-feedback-on-stormwater-quality-management-program.
Continue reading: Stormwater Management Program
Residents are encouraged read the SWMP document and to provide feedback by February 18, at 5 p.m.
Greg Smith is a member Hilliard Environmental Sustainability Commission.
This article was originally published on ThisWeek Eye on the Environment: Hilliard residents can provide feedback about the Stormwater Management Program