Stormwater Management
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is stormwater?
What is the EPA?
Why is stormwater "Good rain gone wrong"?
What kind of pollutants are found in the storm drain system?
Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?
What is the City of Norfolk doing about stormwater runoff?
What is the City of Norfolk doing about illegal dumping?
Why doesn't the City build a stormwater treatment facility?
Why is there a stormwater fee on my utility bill?
Construction
What is a "Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan" (SWPPP)?
What are "Best Management Practices" (BMP)?
Infrastructure
What is a catch basin?
Do catch basins and storm drains get cleaned out?
Can filters or screens be installed in front of catch basins?
Why isn't a net/fence/barrier installed at the end of the storm drain channel to catch all of the trash?
Nonpoint Source Pollution
What is nonpoint source pollution?
What causes nonpoint source pollution?
What are the effects of these pollutants on our waters?
What can we do about nonpoint source pollution?
How to Help
How can I be environmentally responsible when washing my car?
Yard clippings and leaves are natural, so they don't cause any problems, right?
I see people dumping used oil into storm drains all the time. What can I do?
What happens if someone I know is throwing trash into a storm drain?
I have some paint/thinners/chemicals at home that need to be disposed of. Where can I take these?
I often see stencils over storm drains and conveyances. How do I get a stencil for a catch basin near me?
Where can I go for more information?
General
A: Stormwater is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into the catch basins of storm sewers. Collectively , the draining water is called stormwater runoff.
A: EPA stand for the Environmental Protection Agency. A Federal Agency whose mission is to protect human health and the environment.
Q: Why is stormwater "Good rain gone wrong"?
A: Stormwater becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants as it flows or when it causes flooding and erosion of stream banks. Stormwater travels through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that flows directly to a lake, river, stream, wetland or coastal water. All of the pollutants that stormwater carries along the way, empty into our waters too, because stormwater does not get treated.
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Q: What kind of pollutants are found in the storm drain system?
A: Paint thinner and paint products, motor oil, pesticides, Styrofoam cups, paper, human and animal feces, antifreeze, golf balls, dirty diapers, and dead animals are but a few of the pollutants found in the system on a daily basis.
Q: Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?
A: No. They are two completely separate drainage systems. Effluent in the sewer system receives extensive and thorough filtration prior to being discharged. The storm drain system on the other hand, receives no filtration whatsoever, and discharges directly into the Elkhorn River untreated.
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Q: What is the City of Norfolk doing about stormwater runoff?
A: The City of Norfolk is preventing stormwater pollution through a stormwater management program. This program addresses stormwater pollution from construction, new development, illegal dumping into storm sewer systems, and pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices in municipal operations. It will also continue to educate the community and get everyone involved in making sure that only thing that stormwater contributes to our water resources is ... WATER.
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Q: What is the City of Norfolk doing about illegal dumping?
A: It is illegal to knowingly dump or discharge hazardous materials into storm drain catch basins and the City of Norfolk can impose stiff fines on the perpetrators if they are caught. Illegal dumping of trash, paint products, motor oil and other chemicals into storm drains is against the law!
Q: Why doesn't the City build a stormwater treatment facility?
A: Such a facility would be extremely costly to build and maintain. And, the massive amount of water coming through the facility during a rainstorm would easily overtax the system.
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Q: Why is there a stormwater fee on my utility bill?
A: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) compels the City of Norfolk to protect water quality through requirements outlined in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act). In compliance with these regulations, the NDEQ has issued a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which authorizes MS4 communities to discharge into the receiving waters of the state, as long as the communities meet certain requirements.
To meet these requirements, the City of Norfolk developed a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). This plan consists of 6 Minimum Control Measures (MCMs), all of which cause the city to incur costs related to staff time, equipment, and materials. Previously, grant funds were available to local communities to assist in compliance with these federal regulations, however these grants were eliminated in 2018. Therefore, in an effort to continue to comply with the NPDES permit, the City of Norfolk implemented a stormwater fee. The fee is based on a flat rate for all existing water and/or sewer customers. Residential customers are currently charged $2 per month, while commercial and industrial customers are charged $6 per month. The fee began on October 1, 2019. The City of Norfolk is not alone in our efforts to implement a stormwater fee. The Cities of Scottsbluff, Kearney, Grand Island, and Columbus all have implemented a stormwater financing mechanism similar to the City of Norfolk. If you have additional questions or concerns regarding the stormwater fee, please do not hesitate to reach out to city staff using the contact information below.
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Construction
Q: What is a "Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan" (SWPPP)?
A: The SWPPP is a plan for how you will control stormwater runoff from your construction site. Because every site is unique, every SWPPP is unique. The plan needs to be updated as your work progresses.
Q: What are "Best Management Practices" (BMP)?
A: Best Management Practices are the techniques (buffers, silt fences, detention ponds, swales, etc.), schedule of activities, prohibitions of practices and maintenance procedures to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants.
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Infrastructure
A: A catch basin is a curbside receptacle, or storm drain, whose sole function is to serve as a rainwater drainage device.
Q: Do catch basins and storm drains get cleaned out?
A: Yes. Each respective jurisdiction within the city maintains and cleans out the many detention basins and miles of channels, washes and storm drains in the system on a regular basis. Although, there are a number of problematic locations throughout the city where certain catch basins, because of either topographical location or from repeated illegal dumping, are cleaned with more frequency.
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Q: Can filters or screens be installed in front of catch basins?
A: It sounds like a good idea. But during a rainstorm, trash is quickly swept to the catch basin and any screen or filtration device placed in front of the catch basin would cause trash to accumulate and clog the grate, preventing proper drainage and end up flooding the street. With hundreds of catch basins feeding miles of pipes and channels in the system alone, there would be far too many blocked catch basins to have crews cleaning them as the rain falls. There are new technologies being developed in the form of filtration or screening devices to be installed and inserted inside catch basins.
Q: Why isn't a net/fence/barrier installed at the end of the storm drain channel to catch all of the trash?
A: The City of Norfolk manages the flood channels and, in fact, some do have a barrier or screen near the discharge point. Unfortunately, this only catches the trash that floats in the channels or detention basins, leaving most of the toxins like pet waste, used oil, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. flow straight through into the Elkhorn River.
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Nonpoint Source Pollution
Q: What is nonpoint source pollution?
A: Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many different sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water.
Q: What causes nonpoint source pollution?
A: We all play a part. Nonpoint source pollution results from a wide variety of human activities on the land. Each of us can contribute to the problem without even realizing it.
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Q: What are the effects of these pollutants on our waters?
A: States report that nonpoint source pollution is the leading remaining cause of water quality problems. The effects of nonpoint source pollutants on specific waters vary and may not always be fully assessed. However, we know that these pollutants have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife.
Q: What can we do about nonpoint source pollution?
A: We can all work together to reduce and prevent nonpoint source pollution. Some activities are federal responsibilities, such as ensuring that federal lands are properly managed to reduce soil erosion. Some are state responsibilities, for example, developing legislation to govern mining and logging, and to protect groundwater. Others are best handled locally, such as by zoning or erosion control ordinances. And each individual can play an important role by practicing conservation and by changing certain everyday habits.
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How to Help
Q: How can I be environmentally responsible when washing my car?
A: The best place to wash your car is to use a full or self service car wash. They are designed to recycle used water and filter out many of the harmful chemicals and pollutants washed away from your vehicle.
Although we highly recommend going to a full or self service car wash, an alternative is to park your vehicle on the lawn or gravel. Use biodegradable soaps to wash your vehicle, using as little water as possible. Shut off water while washing your car, then rinse. Remember not to leave your car on the lawn.
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Q: Yard clippings and leaves are natural, so they don't cause any problems, right?
A: Grass, leaves and yard clippings that are repeatedly swept into catch basins can clog the drain, causing flooding and can become a breeding ground for rodents and insects. Additionally, grass and leaves decompose and contribute to new plant growth which deprives aquatic animals of their oxygen, and die.
Q: I see people dumping used oil into storm drains all the time. What can I do?
A: Dumping used oil is illegal. One gallon of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. Call 911 then contact the City of Norfolk Stormwater Manager to report incidents of illegal dumping.
To properly dispose of your used, but uncontaminated (not mixed with other fluids) motor oil, dispose of it through your recycling program with the City of Norfolk. For more information on the recycling and waste collection in Norfolk, call 402-844-2230 or visit the Solid Waste webpage for more information. Check our listing of businesses that also accept automotive fluids.
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Q: What happens if someone I know is throwing trash into a storm drain?
A: Storm drains are for the sole purpose of rainwater overflow. Dumping trash, pollutants and debris in the catch basins is illegal and is a federal violation of the Clean Water Act of 1972 as well as the City of Norfolk Municipal Code. If it's a neighbor, they may not understand the catch basin's direct connection to the Elkhorn River. If you have an amicable relationship with him/her, it may be just a matter of informing and making them aware of its environmental impact.
If it is someone who you feel is knowingly violating and repeatedly dumping into storm drains, please contact the City of Norfolk Stormwater Manager to report incidents of illegal dumping.
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Q: I have some paint/thinners/chemicals at home that need to be disposed of. Where can I take these?
A: The City of Norfolk Transfer Station accepts all types of waste. We encourage you to review the Transfer Station website, and our discussion of the various waste types accepted at the Transfer Station.
Q: I have often seen stencils over storm drains and conveyances. How do I get a stencil for a catch basin near me?
A: You can contact the local public works department in you area for more information.
Q: Where can I go for more information?
A: You can contact the City’s Stormwater Manager or the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) for more information about stormwater management.