Title
Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3718 amending Chapter 86 and 34 of the Code of Ordinances establishing regulatory authority and providing definitions and regulations for the detection and elimination of illicit discharges to the storm drains; and take appropriate action
Body
BACKGROUND:
The Clean Water Act (CWA) was enacted by the United States Congress in 1977, and amended the Act in 1987. The purpose of the legislation is to protect the Nation's waters. The CWA directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue rules on how to implement the phased approach of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which regulates urban stormwater runoff. The federal regulations establish the program framework and baseline expectations, while the EPA defines the requirements to meet the federal permit standards.
Once federal regulations are established by the EPA, the state of Texas reviews the regulations develops its permitting process and requirements to implement the NDPDES. With respect to cities, there have been two phases for implementation based on population size: Phase I and Phase II. Larger cities were categorized as Phase I cities and were permitted first. Smaller cities were categorized as Phase II and were permitted later. The City of Farmers Branch operates a regulated, Level 2, Phase II small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). As a designated small MS4 operator, the City of Farmers Branch must comply with the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) General Permit TXR04000, which was first issued in August 2007. The permit regulates non-point source pollution and prohibits the discharge of anything not composed entirely of stormwater to the storm drain. The permit also specifies that where discharges will reach waters of the United States, a stormwater management program (SWMP) must be developed and implemented, and includes minimum requirements for the SWMP.
Small MS4s located in the state of ...
Click here for full text