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Department of Public Works

Storm Water Management 

Storm Water Quality Management

• In 1972 the federal government passed the Clean Water Act.

• Since its passage, the quality of our Nation’s waters has improved dramatically

• However, degraded or impaired water bodies still exist

• According to the latest National Water Quality Inventory – 40% of our surveyed US water bodies are impaired or do not meet federal standards

• Leading source of impairment - polluted storm water runoff

Water Resources are Crucial

• Water provides recreation for Dickinson and Galveston County residents

• It attracts tourists, boosting the local economy

• It is home to many types of wildlife

What is a Watershed?

• An area of land where the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same creek, river, bay, beach or ocean

• No matter where you live, you live in a watershed!

• Everyone in Dickinson lives within the Dickinson Bayou Watershed

Why Is It Important?

• Human activities can harm or improve the condition of a watershed, including the water quality, its fish and wildlife, its forests and other vegetation, and the quality of life for people who live there

Protecting Water Resources is Everyone’s Responsibility

• Water quality is not just a coastal issue – it starts in all regions and affects water quality from the mountains to the oceans

Dickinson Bayou

• Dickinson Bayou is one of the most studied bayous in the State of Texas

• Bayou’s headwaters are in Brazoria County, flow through the jurisdictions of League City, Santa Fe, Dickinson and Texas City

• Currently listed as impaired or does not meet water quality standards

• Impaired due to low oxygen levels and bacteriological contamination

Where Does Pollution Come From?

• Pollutants come from a variety of sources including:

Ø  Litter

Ø  Automotive leaks and spills

Ø  Pesticides and fertilizers used on lawns

Ø  Pet waste

Ø  Leaves and lawn clippings

Ø  Soap and other chemicals

• Illegal Dumping Brochure

• Illegal Dumping Law Enforcement Brochure

Common Causes of Storm Water Pollution - Motor Oil, Oil Filters, Detergent, Antifreeze & Transmission Fluid

Washing cars and degreasing auto parts can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm water system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the material directly into a body of water. Repair auto leaks and dispose of used auto fluids at designated collection locations.

What is Storm Water Runoff?

• Storm water runoff refers to seasonal rainfall flows.  During heavy rain storms, large volumes of water drain off paved areas picking up pollutants while flowing to a storm drain.

• Once storm water runoff enters the storm drain, it flows downstream to the nearest body of water.

What is Urban Runoff?

• Urban runoff is water from irrigation, overwatering, car washing and other sources that travel into the street picking up pollutants while flowing to the storm drain.

• Once urban runoff enters the storm drain, it goes directly into the nearest body of water.

Storm Drains Are Not Sewers

• Storm drains are separate from the sanitary sewer system

• Unlike water in the sanitary sewers (sinks and toilets), water in storm drains is not treated before entering our waterways

How is the City of Dickinson Helping to Prevent Pollutants from Entering Dickinson Bayou, Creeks, Rivers, Galveston Bay, and the Gulf?

• In 1990, the federal government amended the clean water act adding storm water quality management  requirements to its tool box of water pollution controls

• Completed in phases 

Ø  Phase 1 - larger cities with a population over 100,000

 

Ø  Phase 2 – all the cities in Galveston County including the urbanized areas of the unincorporated county except Jamaica Beach.

 

• Phase 2 of the storm water management program requires operators of a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) in urbanized areas to implement programs and practices to control polluted storm water runoff.

• Who are operators?  Cities, Counties, State of Texas, Drainage Districts, colleges and universities. 

• As an operator of a MS4, the City had to apply for a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that authorizes it to discharge its storm water from the storm sewer system into the waters of the State of Texas.

• Now, under this permit, the City is required to control to the “maximum extent practicable” pollutants contained in these storm waters.

• City was required to draft a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) to satisfy the federal storm water mandate.

• The SWMP contains elements called minimum control measures that when implemented should result in a significant reduction in pollutants discharged into receiving waters.

• 6 Minimum Control Measures

Ø  Public Education and Outreach

Ø  Public Involvement/Participation

Ø  Illegal Discharge Detection and Elimination

Ø  Construction Site  Storm Water Management

Ø  Post-Construction Storm Water Management

Ø  Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

The City of Dickinson receives and inspects various types of drainage and storm water concerns including but not limited to:

·        Sewage overflows/spills

·        Blocked or overgrown ditches

·        Illegal dumping on land and waterways

·        Illicit discharges into waterways

·        Greywater

·        Construction erosion

You can file your concern by clicking the “Service Request Form” link below and fill out the required fields.  It is important to provide the City with the following information:

·        Your Name

·        Your Address

·        Your Phone Number

·        Complaint Location (or address)

·        A brief description of the complaint

Concerns can also be submitted over the phone by calling 281-337-6267.

·        City of Dickinson Storm Water Management Plan

·        Storm Water Annual Report - Year 2

·        Ordinance #674-2009 - Adopt Illicit Discharge Regulations

How Can You Help Prevent Pollutants at Work and Home from Entering Dickinson Bayou, Creeks, Rivers, Galveston Bay, and the Gulf?

Litter

• Do properly dispose of litter in a trash can.  It is one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to prevent water pollution.

• Do pick up litter in your yard, street, office and neighborhood and put it in a trash can.

• Do recycle.

• Never litter.

Household Hazardous Waste

• Take household hazardous waste to a household hazardous waste collection center.

• Store household hazardous waste in closed, labeled containers inside or under a cover.

Lawn Care

• Do limit the amount of pesticides and fertilizer used. Follow directions and do not use if rain is predicted within 48 hours.

• Do monitor your sprinklers to prevent overwatering.

• Never allow excess water from your yard to flow into the street, gutter or storm drain.

Leaves and Trimmings

• Sweep all clippings with a broom and dispose of them in clear green waste bags (which are available from Keep Dickinson Beautiful).

• NEVER use your hose to wash away leaves and trimmings.

Pets

• Pick up after your pet

Ø  Take a bag with you on your walks to pick up after your pet

• Dispose of the waste in a trash can or flush waste down the toilet.

• Bathe pets indoors or have them professionally groomed.

Automotive Leaks

• Do use a mat or metal pan under the vehicle to collect oil.

• If a leak or spill occurs, do use cat litter to soak up the liquid, and then sweep up the litter and dispose of it in a trash can.

• NEVER wash away car fluids such as oil with a hose.

Motor Oil

• Do take all used oil to a certified used oil collection center or household hazardous waste collection center for recycling.

• NEVER dump automotive fluids down the storm drain.

Car Washing

• If possible, take your car to a commercial car wash.

• Do consider using non-toxic, biodegradable soap when washing your car at home.

• Do divert wash water to a landscaped area.

• Never let soap suds enter the storm drain.

• Shake floor mats into a trash can or vacuum to clean.

Pools and Spas

• Do dispose of used pool water in the sanitary sewer or dechlorinate the water before draining.

Water can be dechlorinated by purchasing chemicals at a pool supply store or simply refrain from using chlorine in a pool for a few days prior to draining the water.

• Never pour chlorinated water down the storm drain.

Information for Businesses and Developers

·        Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

·        National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices

·        Storm Water Authority.org

·        Texas Water – Water Resource Education

Need help complying with TCEQ regulations?

If you are a business or developer and have questions or are having trouble complying with TCEQ requirements, please contact the Small Business and Local Government Assistance division which provides technical assistance without the threat of enforcement at 1-800-447-2827. For more information, please follow the link below:

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assistance/sblga/sblga.html

Fun links for kids

·        EPA Kid's Page

·        Clean Water Clear Choice

·        Stormy's Guide to Storm Water

To Report a Problem

To report a problem during normal working hours call the

Department of Public Works (281) 337-6267.

 
For After Hour Emergencies

Contact the City of Dickinson Police Department at (281) 337-4700

and the request will be forwarded to our standby personnel.

Service Request

To complete a service request, please click on the link below:

Service Request Form