Storm Water Management Program
Hinds County Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) was established as a result of the Phase II Storm Water final rules published by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December, 1999. The new rules mandate pollution control activities for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) in cities with populations of 100,000 or less. Hinds County, being one of the largest counties in Mississippi, is automatically designated under these new rules to require permit coverage for storm water related discharge.
The new regulations require all regulated communities, including Hinds County, to develop a Storm Water Management Program and implement the Best Management Practices (BMPs).
The BMPs are based on 6 minimum control measures as follows:
I. Public Education and Outreach
PEO measure includes effectively implementing a public education program distributing educational materials and performing outreach to increase community awareness about the impacts of storm water discharges on water bodies, and informing citizens on how they can make a difference to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff.
II. Public Involvement and Participation
PIP measure includes effectively involving public in implementation of the storm water management program through providing opportunities for them to participate in water quality improvement projects such as stream cleanup, storm drain stenciling among others.
III. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
IDDE measure includes developing and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into our MS4 and area streams. This measure includes developing a system map, informing community about hazards associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste, and implementing an ordinance.
IV. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
This measure includes developing, implementing and enforcing an erosion and sediment control programs to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff from construction activities that disturb the land.
V. Post-Construction Storm Water Management
This measure includes developing, implementing, and enforcing a program to address storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment projects to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff from developed projects. The program must ensure that best management practices are in place to prevent or minimize water quality impacts. Controls include preventative actions such as protecting sensitive areas, or the use of structural best management practices such as detention ponds, grassed swales and more.
VI. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
This minimum measure includes developing and implementing an operation and maintenance program with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations.
For additional information for Phase II, click on the following link:
EPA's Phase II Storm Water Program