National Pollution Discharge Elimination Program (NPDES)

Explanation of EPA's Phase II NPDES Regulations

WHAT DOES NPDES MEAN TO ME?
NPDES stands for National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. The Federal Environment Protection Agency (EPA) regulates it. NPDES will help improve our environment by improving the water quality within each of the City's drainage basins, the Cache La Poudre River, Sheep Draw, Irrigation Ditch No. 3, streams and tributaries, lakes and ponds. To accomplish these objectives, each property owner will need to make a more conscious effort to: store and dispose of waste, motor oils, anti-freeze and hazardous materials properly; properly apply and/or reduce dependency on lawn fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides; reduce the amount of sediment that leaves a site from construction activities, become more involved and active in the community, and lend support to City staff for programs aimed at reducing nuisance flooding and improving water quality.
 

The City of Greeley is responsible for developing, administering and enforcing the General Permit that was required in March, 2003 by the EPA and the CDPHE. Under the General Permit for Discharge of Stormwater, the City is responsible for enforcing the following six minimal control measures:

1. Public education and outreach.
2. Public participation/involvement.
3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
4. Construction site runoff control.
5. Post-construction runoff control.
6. Pollution prevention/good housekeeping.

WHAT IS PHASE II?
Phase II is the next step in EPA's effort to preserve, protect and enhance the Nation's water resources from polluted stormwater runoff. It is a federally mandated program that affects those municipalities with populations less than 100,000. On March 10, 2003, these municipalities were required to apply for and obtain a general permit for the stormwater runoff from residential, commercial and industrial areas into streams, lakes and rivers. The City of Greeley is required to be in compliance.
WHY IS THE PHASE II STORMWATER PROGRAM NECESSARY?
It is a federally mandated program of the EPA administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Water Quality Control Division. Although the water quality of our Nation's waterways have improved over the years, water bodies are still impaired and do not meet water quality standards set forth by the EPA as outlined in the Clean Water Act (CWA).
WILL I NEED TO GET A NPDES PERMIT?
Residential property owners will not need to get a NPDES permit. Construction activity that disturbs an acre or greater will require a grading permit and must comply with the approved Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) for the construction site.
WHAT IS THIS GOING TO COST ME?
To help pay for the costs associated with the NPDES program the City of Greeley has developed a Stormwater Utility Fee. The fee is based on the amount of runoff from properties. A base fee is established for a typical Single Family Residence (SFR) property, and larger lots and other land uses will pay more based on runoff.
WHEN WILL I HAVE TO PAY?
This fee was implemented in 2002 and is a part of your water/sewer bill.
THE MONEY COLLECTED FROM THE UTILITY FEES WILL BE USED FOR?

* Administration of the Stormwater Management Program
* Addressing flooding problems
* Provide funding for regional detention facilities
* Enforce requirements outlined in the General Permit for Discharge of Stormwater
* Improve and maintain stormwater drainage infrastructure
* Increase public awareness

Contacts
The City of Greeley Public Works Department, Stormwater Division, Phone: 970.336.4074

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Water Quality Control Division - Phone: 303.692.3500

U.S. EPA Office of Wastewater Management
* Phone: 202.260.7786
* E-mail: SW2@epa.gov
* Internet: > EPA

Updated: 12.14.11