 THE
PROBLEM: WHAT IS STORMWATER POLLUTION? Stormwater pollution
is urban runoff water that has picked up pollutants as it flows
through the storm drain system-a network of channels, gutters and
pipes that collect runoff from city streets, neighborhoods, farms,
construction sites and parking lots-and empties directly into local
waterways.
Unlike sewage, which goes to treatment plants, urban runoff flows
untreated through the storm drain system. Anything thrown, swept
or poured into the street, gutter or a catch basin-the curbside
openings that lead into the storm drain system-can flow directly
into our channels, creeks, bays and ocean. This includes pollutants
like trash, pet waste, cigarette butts, motor oil, anti-freeze,
runoff from pesticides and fertilizers, paint from brushes and containers
rinsed in the gutter and toxic household chemicals.
For more information:
The
Ocean Begins at Your Front Door
How Stormwater Pollution Affects Orange County Residents.
Contaminated urban runoff is an uncontrolled nonpoint source
of pollution into local waters, and may contribute to beach closures.
Litter, leaves and other debris clog catch basins, causing flooding
when it rains.
How Stormwater Pollution Affects
Orange County Businesses.
Stormwater pollution may contribute to beach closures, which
hurt local businesses, tourism and Orange County's image as a desirable
place to live and work. It is illegal for businesses without a permit
to discharge wastewater or other materials into the storm drain
system.
The Answer: Preventing Stormwater
Pollution.
Everyone in Orange County can help prevent stormwater pollution.
It is often caused by everyday behavior that you may not realize
contributes to the problem. Simple behavior changes are all it takes
to prevent stormwater pollution, if we all do our part. Find out
how.
 How
residents can prevent stormwater pollution.
How
businesses can prevent stormwater pollution
REGULATORY
INFORMATION
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge
of any pollutant to navigable waters from a point source unless
the discharge is authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit.
The 1987 passage of the Water Quality Act established NPDES permit
requirements for discharges of stormwater. The NPDES permit program
controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge
pollutants into waters of the United States.
Industrial facilities and construction sites are regulated by the
State Water Resources Control Board, through general stormwater
permits. Cities and counties are regulated through permits issued
by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards. Since 1990, operators
of large storm drain systems such as Orange County's have been required
to:
- Develop
a stormwater management program designed to prevent harmful pollutants
from being dumped or washed by stormwater runoff,into the stormwater
system, then discharged into local waterbodies; and
- Obtain
a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
The NPDES permit programs in California are administered by the
State Water Resources Control Board and by nine regional boards
that issue NPDES permits and enforce regulations within their respective
region.
Orange County lies within the jurisdiction of both the Santa Ana
and San Diego Regions. These two regional boards issue permits to
the Orange County Permittees, which includes the County of Orange,
Orange County Flood Control District and incorporated cities of
Orange County. Since the program's inception, the County of Orange
has served as the principal permittee.
DOCUMENTS
AND REPORTS
The following documents describe the regulations and programs for
water quality in Orange County.
Basin Plans
The document for each region of the State Water Quality
Board's jurisdiction, Santa Ana and San Diego, is the Water Quality
Control Plan, commonly referred to as the Basin Plan. It is the
foundation for the regulatory programs of each regional board. The
Basin Plan documents the beneficial uses of the region's ground
and surface waters, existing water quality conditions, problems,
and goals, and actions by the regional board and others that are
necessary to achieve and maintain water quality standards.
Water
Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin
Water
Control Plan for San Diego Region
Municipal
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits
The permits of each region outline additional steps for a storm
water management program and specify requirements to help protect
the beneficial uses of the receiving waters. They require permittees
to develop and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control/reduce
the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States to the
maximum extent practicable (MEP).
Santa
Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board Municipal NPDES Permit
Order No. R8-2002-0010
San
Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board Municipal NPDES Permit
Order No. R9-2002-0001
Drainage Area Management Plan
The draft 2000 Drainage Area Management Plan (DAMP) describes the
Orange County Stormwater Program, implemented by the County of Orange
and cities to comply with their jointly held stormwater permit.
It is the principal policy and guidance document for the countywide
NPDES Stormwater Program.
DAMP-OC
Drainage Area Management Plan
DAMP-Appendix
A
DAMP-Appendix
E1
DAMP-Appendix
E2
DAMP-Appendix
F
DAMP-Appendix
G
DAMP-Appendix
H
DAMP-Appendix
J
DAMP-Appendix
K
DAMP-Appendix
L
DAMP-Appendix
N
Orange County Stormwater Program 2000-2001 Annual Status
Report
The Annual Status Report is a requirement of the NPDES permit for
submittal to the Regional Boards and United States Environmental
Protection Agency. The report presents an analysis and assessment
of permit compliance activities for the period July 1, 2000 to June
30, 2001, as required by the permits.
Annual Report
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