Stormwater
Federal stormwater regulations require reduction of
pollutants in stormwater discharges to the maximum extent
practicable. These regulations apply to construction sites,
industrial facilities and municipalities such as the City of
Mesa.
The City of Mesa operates under a Municipal Permit originally issued in
1997 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Arizona
Department of Environmental Quality re-issued the Municipal
Permit to the City effective August 30, 2010. The Municipal
Permit
requires the City to
develop a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) identifying various best management practices (BMP)
to be
implemented to reduce stormwater pollutants. Examples of BMPs
are conducting household hazardous waste collection events,
inspecting retention basins for pollutants, disseminating public
education materials and screening stormwater discharge
points for pollutants. In addition, Mesa has a Storm Water
Pollution Control Ordinance (Title 8, Chapter 5 of the Mesa City
Code) that prohibits most discharges (direct or indirect) to the
storm sewer system.
The Municipal Permit also
requires the City to post a copy of the SWMP and the most recent annual report on the City's website.
Click the links below to access these documents.
Environmental Impacts to the
Stormwater System
The City of Mesa's storm sewer system is designed to collect
storm event runoff and drain it directly into the Salt and Gila
rivers without treatment. The purpose of this collection
system is to protect against flooding and water damage. This
storm sewer system is completely separate from the
sanitary sewer system, which is designed to capture and
treat wastewater from sinks, toilets and other sources.
Stormwater contamination occurs when chemicals, debris,
and waste enter the storm sewer system. These materials can
enter into the system through:
- the illegal dumping of products or waste into the storm
sewer system and/or curb and gutter
- the over application of pesticides, herbicides and
fertilizers
- leaking fluids from motor vehicles
Once these hazardous materials enter the storm sewer
system they drain to our rivers where they can:
- harm fish and wildlife
- promote weed growth
- create stagnant pools that breed disease carrying pests
- inhibit the natural beauty and safety of our outdoor
recreation sites
You can help to protect the City's storm sewer system by:
- Picking up any spills of automotive fluids, pesticides,
fertilizers or other materials on your property immediately
so they do not reach the curb and gutter
- Use only the amount of pesticides, herbicides and
fertilizers that is necessary to do the job
- Dispose of empty containers of automotive fluids,
pesticides, fertilizers or other materials properly by
enclosing them in a plastic bag before putting them in the
trash
- Bring household hazardous waste to one of the City's
scheduled Household Hazardous Waste Events.