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Stormwater
Background
Storm water may seem like a non-issue to many people. Some may wonder why we should be concerned about storm water
at all. After all, it seems like it is just something that takes care of itself: As long as there are gravity and
air, storm water will continue to run downhill and eventually evaporate. However, storm water can be a major source
of pollution. Consider for a moment:
What happens to the rain after it hits the roof of your house?
It goes into the gutters.
OK, but then where does it go?
It flows through my downspout, runs across my driveway and through my yard.
OK, but then where does it go?
Well, some of it seeps into my yard and some of it runs into my street, along the curb and gutter
and into the storm sewer.
True. Storm water is created by precipitation and runoff from land, pavements, building rooftops
and other surfaces. Some of the water does seep into the ground and some of it enters the storm sewer system. The
storm sewer system is a way for the water to get to ponds, other storm sewer pipes, and also into our local bodies
of water, including the Mississippi River.
However, on the way to the water bodies, storm water runoff accumulates pollutants such as oil
and grease, pesticides, sediment, litter, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land.
Heavy precipitation or snowmelt also can cause sewer overflows which may lead to contamination of other water
sources. Pollution prevention is a major reason why we want to manage our storm water.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency controls storm water and sewer overflow discharges
through its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). NPDES created guidelines for municipalities
and other agencies for minimizing or reducing storm water pollution; the permit is administered by individual
states. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued permits to the City of Cottage Grove and other units
of government which allows them to discharge storm water to waters of the state, after meeting certain
requirements.
Non Degradation
Pursuant with the City of Cottage Grove Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit, the City of Cottage Grove has completed its Nondegradation Review. The City’s Nondegradation Review includes a nondegradation analysis (Loading Assessment) and documents how the City intends to address nondegradation rules (Nondegradation Report and Proposed SWPPP Modifications), as outlined in the MS4 General Permit.
A copy of the City of Cottage Grove Nondegradation Review is posted below. A hard copy of the document will be available at the front desk of the City of Cottage Grove Public Works Facility. To view the nondegradation plan click on the following link:
Non Degradation Plan
East Metro Water Resource Education Program
June Education Update
August Education Update
October Education Update
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City Gov't