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National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II permit program for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) went into effect on March 10, 2003. The permit regulates stormwater discharges from cities. The permit requirements were established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and are administered in Minnesota by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
City Storm Water Management
The City of Wayzata submitted its MS4 SWPPP Application for Reauthorization in 2021. The document outlines the City's approach to meeting the NPDES Phase II permit requirements. The permit requires each municipality to address stormwater management in 6 areas:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Information and Involvement
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Stormwater Management
- Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping
The education requirements are not only called out as a specific area, but are also required to be integrated into each of the other 5 areas.
Implementation
The permit is valid for 5 years (until 11/15/25). The best management practices (BMPs) that are proposed by the city to address the 6 areas above will be implemented during this time. Not all BMPs will be in effect right away. Since each city is different, the permit allows for implementation within a time frame that makes sense for each city.
Questions and Comments?
If you have questions or comments about the City’s MS4 Permit, Annual Reports, or other topics related to the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program, please email Jen Schumann or call 952 404 5371.
When snow and ice melts on hard surfaces, it runs into storm drains that flow into lakes, ponds and wetlands. This means, when snow and ice melt off of your house and driveway, the salt will go with it and will ultimately flow into Lake Minnetonka! When you over salt your driveway and sidewalk, it pollutes our water supply.
Salt can also cause soil to lose its ability to retain water, which could then lead to erosion and increased sediments going into the lake. High levels of chloride are toxic to our fish and other aquatic life!
In an effort to minimize the amount of salt that is used on the City’s streets, the Wayzata Public Works Department uses a mix of sand and salt, rather than pure salt. The sand provides additional traction for tires while the salt aids in melting snow and ice.
The City also recently updated it’s Ordinance regulating the storage of deicing materials (salt) on commercial properties within the City. These regulations are required for the City of Wayzata to remain in compliance with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) MS4 permit program.
For more information on these new regulations, check out Wayzata.org/municode.
Questions? Call Wayzata Public Works at 952-404-5360