The role of public works in stormwater quality Thomas Perez, P.E. Senior Civil Engineer City of Irvine, California Master’s in Public Administration, Norwich University
mproving water quality is a growing concern in communities throughout the country. To address the concern municipalities are focusing attention on stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff results from rain or melted snow that is not absorbed into the ground. The excess water concentrates and forms waterways ranging in size from small streams to large rivers. If left untreated, stormwater runoff will lead to the pollution of drinking water sources, lakes, bays, and oceans. Impervious surfaces such as concrete, roofs, and roadways from urban developments increase the amount of runoff and yield a wide range of pollutants with potential to enter nearby waterways. In order to minimize pollution, municipalities must rise to the challenge of leading their communities in finding innovative and cost-effective methods to effectively treat stormwater. Quality of life and environmental impacts are fundamental reasons why water quality is a top priority for municipalities. Damage to the environment and the loss of valuable water resources negatively affect the entire community. Municipalities themselves will be at risk of serious fiscal impacts, including fines, costly retrofit projects, repairs, and increased costs to treat drinking water if stormwater quality is not properly addressed. Federal regulations such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) are catalysts for municipalities to create 28
APWA Reporter
February 2013
stormwater quality programs. In order for municipalities to improve water quality, they must dedicate sufficient resources towards developing and implementing comprehensive watershed protection and management plans.
out of the need to construct projects and in some cases purchase right-ofway to accommodate the proposed projects. These are just a few examples why public works should lead its community towards improving water quality.
Why should public works departments take the lead?
What can your department do to lead the community?
Public works is the most appropriate entity to lead the charge in stormwater quality. Public works departments typically operate and maintain stormwater management facilities in the community. Public works departments possess equipment, personnel, and expertise that can be efficiently incorporated into a stormwater quality program. Public works is also closely involved in the review and approval of new developments and redevelopments, which provides them the opportunity to regulate proposed infrastructure and require improvements as warranted. Public works departments have the resources to overcome typical challenges that arise in the course of creating and implementing a stormwater quality plan. For example, new and unproven treatment devices will present technological challenges. Since public works will be responsible for maintaining these devices, they will be the most appropriate department to test and evaluate the devices. Public works is responsible for administering capital improvement projects which in turn equips them with the tools to overcome economic challenges arising
A stormwater quality plan will guide public works and the community towards improving water quality in the region. Creating a stormwater quality plan is a detailed process with several directions a department can go in order to create and implement a successful plan. The following guidelines provide a foundation for public works departments looking to build a stormwater quality plan. Strategic Planning. A strategic plan is a long-range planning document that will guide the public works department and provide assurance that future improvements will work synergistically in order to achieve desired goals. Strategic plans should at a minimum include the following information: •
Citywide mission and goals
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Program milestones
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Affected watersheds
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Environmentally sensitive areas
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Menu of acceptable BMPs
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Roles and responsibilities
When preparing a strategic plan, municipalities must build flexibility