Town Of West Monroe: Stormwater Management: Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations [Digital Towpath]

The Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping minimum control measure focuses activities on ensuring that municipal facilities and operations are managed in ways that will minimize contamination to stormwater discharges emanating from these facilities. Facilities may include, but are not limited to, municipally owned or operated buildings, campuses, parks, public works facilities, and infrastructure. Various operation and maintenance activities addressed may include, but are not limited to: street and bridge maintenance; road salt storage and application; vehicle and fleet maintenance; stormwater system maintenance; solid waste management; park and open space maintenance; and pesticide and fertilizer applications.

MS4s are encouraged to consider the following components when developing their pollution prevention and good housekeeping programs: 1) management practices, policies and procedures; 2) prioritization of efforts based on geographic areas of concern, potential to improve water quality, facilities or operations in most need of improvement, and the regulated community's capabilities; 3) employee training on how best to incorporate pollution prevention/good housekeeping techniques into municipal operations; and 4) requiring municipal contractors to also implement pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices.

In addition to developing an overall Municipal Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping program, the State's stormwater permit program specifically requires the regulated community to assess and evaluate their facilities and operations and, if necessary, implement changes to help ensure a reduction in the amount and type of pollutants in stormwater. To accomplish this, regulated communities are required to perform self-assessments of municipal operations and facilities at least once every three years. Extensive guidance documents exist that describe various methodologies and considerations for conducting such assessments.

In certain areas that have current Watershed Improvement Strategies and/or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements, the regulated community may also be required to develop additional policies and procedures for: a stormwater conveyance system inspection and maintenance program; a turf management practices and procedures policy; a pet waste management program; and/or a goose population management program.

Additionally, those municipal operations and facilities that would otherwise be subject to the Multisector General Permit for industrial stormwater discharges may be required to perform additional monitoring and record keeping activities, and develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for each facility. These additional requirements are more specifically described in the State's Multisector stormwater permit.

To meet the Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping program requirements, the MS4 has selected the following Best Management Practices (BMP's) and activities to ensure the reduction of all pollutants of concern (POC) in stormwater discharges to the maximum extent practicable.

Municipal Facilities and Operations Assessment Description of BMP/Activity: The regulated MS4 is required to develop a program and conduct facility and operations self-assessments to determine the sources of pollutants potentially generated by each facility and/or operation. The Town of West Monroe will perform a facility inspection once a year to examine potential hazard that may be harmful to the enviroment. With Slocum Creek bordering our facilities it is vital we keep any illicit discharge or sediment run off from entering. Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Stormwater Coordinator Implementation: Other: (Specify) Highway Department Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Single Occurrence (Includes Updates As Needed) Implementation: Single Occurrence (Includes Updates As Needed) Status - Program Development: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Employee Training Program Description of BMP/Activity: Develop a program that provides training to municipal staff whose work may potentially influence the quality of stormwater. Such staff may include highway personnel, water system operators, building and grounds crews, park and recreation departments, and storm or sanitary sewer system operators. The training program should inform and educate employees on proper pollution prevention and good housekeeping techniques Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Supervisor Implementation: Supervisor Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Annually Implementation: Annually Status - Program Development: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Catch Basin Inspection and Cleaning Program Description of BMP/Activity: Develop a program and/or schedule to inspect and clean catch basins and stormwater inlet structures on a regular basis to remove potential pollutants and debris, prevent clogging of the downstream conveyance system, restore catch basins' sediment trapping capacity, and ensure the system functions properly Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Highwat Superintendent Implementation: Highway Superintendent Frequency of Activity: Program Development: On-going/Continuous Implementation: On-going/Continuous Status - Program Development: [X] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Street Sweeping Program Description of BMP/Activity: Streets and parking areas can contribute a number of substances to stormwater runoff, such as trash, suspended solids, and oil and grease. A street sweeping program is intended to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants from roadways, streets, and parking areas. The program may include provision for: bio-filters and/or infiltration devices; semi-permeable pavements; control of litter; surface cleaning protocols; and/or surface repair procedures Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Highwat Superintendent Implementation: Highway Superintendent Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Annually Implementation: Annually Status - Program Development: [X] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Vehicle and Fleet Maintenance Program Description of BMP/Activity: The maintenance and repair of municipal vehicles or equipment is a significant source of potential stormwater pollution. Engine repair and servicing, vehicle washing, replacement of fluids, and outdoor equipment storage can impact stormwater runoff and water quality. Implementation of a vehicle and fleet maintenance program will help to prevent or reduce the potential discharge of pollutants to stormwater. A vehicle and fleet maintainance program may include activities such as (but not limited to): an inventory of equipment and related service records; designation of specific on-site service areas; designation of indoor wash bays or use of commercial wash facilities; removal of floor drains that may be discharging to stormwater conveyance systems; waste disposal procedures (used oil and fluids); and/or daily equipment inspections focusing on leak detection Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Highwat Superintendent Implementation: Lead Mechanic Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Single Occurrence (Includes Updates As Needed) Implementation: Single Occurrence (Includes Updates As Needed) Status - Program Development: [X] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.

Regulated communities are required to collect and report information about the development and implementation of their stormwater program. Specific information that the MS4 is required to collect is included in the Annual Report and reflected in related Self-Assessments. MS4s are, however, encouraged to identify "Measurable Goals" that will help them evaluate accomplishments and progress over time. The following "Measurable Goals" have been specifically identified for this Minimum Control Measure:

Miles of streets swept
Number of catch basins inspected
Number of catch basins cleaned

Activities and BMPs that have been accomplished to date for this Minimum Control Measure are included within the required MS4 Stormwater Annual Report form and Municipal Compliance Certification. Copies of these documents can be found at the following link (Annual Reports). Copies of various documents and specific products relating to this minimum control measure are included under "Related Documents".

A summary of the effectiveness of this program, associated BMPs, activities and an assessment of measurable goals can be found under the heading "Program Reporting and Effectiveness".

DEC - Municipal Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Program Assistance (May 2006)
EPA - Municipal Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Fact Sheet
EPA - Municipal Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Home page
CWP - Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual Series: "Municipal Pollution Prevention/ Good Housekeeping Practices"