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Below
are a few of the Frequently
Asked
Questions from citizens.
If you do not see an answer to your question, please submit your question on the
feedback page.
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What is storm water? |
 Storm water is water from precipitation like rain or melting snow. Typically,
much of it drains across the land instead of seeping into the ground. This
runoff usually flows into the nearest stream, creek, river, lake or ocean. The
water often enters storm drains located along street and other paved surfaces
during this process. However, it is not treated in any way. Thus, it is
necessary to keep it clean. |
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What is storm water pollution? |
During rain events, storm water run off can pick up and carry many substances
that pollute water. Pollutants can include: pesticides, fertilizers, oil and
soap, sediment from construction, bare soil, or agricultural land, pet waste,
grass clippings and leaves.In addition to rain and snowmelt, various human activities like watering, car
washing, and errant septic tank drainage can also contribute to polluted run
off. Of course, other changes to the land like impervious surfaces (streets,
parking lots, roof tops, etc.) create large amounts of runoff that picks up
pollutants. |
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Why do we need to
manage storm water and polluted runoff? |
Polluted storm water runoff is the number one cause of
water pollution in most cases. It can create numerous costs to the
public and to the environment. Communities that use surface water for
their drinking supply must pay much more to clean up polluted water than
clean water.While polluted water can hurt the
wildlife in creeks, streams, rivers and lakes and create explicit
environmental problems, the quantity of storm water can also be a
problem. When storm water falls on hard surfaces like roads, roofs,
driveways and parking lots, it cannot seep into the ground, so it
travels to lower areas.
Substantial volumes and velocities of water run off
can cause for developed areas to experience flooding. The high volume of
water can also cause streams banks to erode which equates to property
damage or destroyed habitat. |
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How are storm
water and runoff managed? |
Preventing pollution from entering water is much more affordable than cleaning
polluted water. Thus, educating citizens of Norman about how to prevent
pollution from entering waterways is one of the key best management practices.
Laws require people and businesses involved in earth disturbing activities, like
construction, to take steps to prevent erosion. There are also laws about
litter, cleaning up after pets and the prohibition of dumping oil or other
substances into storm drains.
Finally, engineered solutions are also required to assist in preventing flooding
and to ensure that channels which convey water are constructed correctly and
maintained over time. |
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Who
regulates storm water? |
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) is responsible for
administering the state’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
storm water management program to all areas of the state with the exception of Indian land, which is
regulated by EPA Region 6. Oklahoma’s storm water program is closely modeled
after the federal NPDES program, which requires storm water be treated to the
maximum extent practicable.Oklahoma’s DEQ program establishes permitting requirements for construction
sites disturbing more than one acre, industrial sites, and Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). All MS4s are to be permitted, or in the permit
process. Each permitted MS4 will be responsible for establishing a Storm Water
Management Program either under the Phase I program, or Phase II program of
the NPDES storm water regulations.
The City of Norman is a permitted Phase II MS4. City of Norman staff works
closely with the ODEQ to ensure compliance and to continually build a program
which supports the management of storm water and the protection of public health
and the environment. The Storm Water Master Plan study will serve as a great
tool to enhance the program.
For more information regarding NPDES, please visit
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/ .
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Who is the consultant, PBS&J? |
Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc. (PBS&J), is an engineering, planning and
architecture firm. The firm was selected as the primary contractor for the
purpose of conducting the study and designing the master plan based on a scope
of work submitted to the City of Norman. Please visit
http://www.pbsj.com/ for
more information. |
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How was PBS&J selected? |
Recognizing the sincere need for a management plan for storm water, the City of
Norman submitted a request for proposal to which many companies responded with
scoping documents detailing a planned method of study which would result in a
master plan.Of those submittals, a comprehensive team began a review process to select the
firm which would be contracted. Based on the findings of this committee using a
specific rating scale, PBS&J was ultimately selected. |
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What
does the study include? |
Predominately, the study for the City of Norman – Storm
Water Master Plan includes the following categories:
- Flooding
- Erosion / Stream Stability
- Storm Water Quality
- Water Supply Protection
- Program Management and Funding
- Recreation
Thus, the study being conducted will ultimately make
recommendations regarding these subjects and serve as the basis upon
which the master plan is to be written.
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