Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program
In response to requirements in the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established regulations requiring public owners or operators of small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to obtain permits in order to legally discharge storm water. In Minnesota, the EPA has delegated the program’s oversight to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The City developed a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) as a necessary requirement for securing permit coverage.
A SWPPP must include best management practices (BMPs) designed to reduce the amount of pollutants discharging from the storm drain system to the maximum extent practicable. The BMPs are defined on BMP sheets and address the following minimum control measures (MCMs):
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MCM 1: |
Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts |
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MCM 2: |
Public participation and involvement |
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MCM 3: |
Illicit discharge detection and elimination |
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MCM 4: |
Construction site stormwater runoff control |
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MCM 5: |
Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment |
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MCM 6: |
Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations |
In addition to the above, MS4s are required to define additional BMPs if certain environmental conditions exist. The City of Mankato is required to meet the requirements of the implementation plan for the lower Minnesota River dissolved oxygen total maximum daily load (TMDL) study. The goal of any TMDL is to restore waters to conditions that meet water quality standards. Currently, during periods of low flow, there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the lower Minnesota River to support the life that normally exists there. The main cause has been determined to be excess phosphorus. Reducing the levels of phosphorus reaching the river during periods of low flow should increase the dissolved oxygen and ultimately put less stress on river life.
To view the entire program (10.2MB), select the following link:
To view a single section of the SWPPP, select one of the links below:
For more information on the state stormwater program: