MCMs - Minimum Control Measures
Six minimum control measures (MCM) are required by the Storm Water Phase II permit to be implemented to assist with improving quality and quantity of stormwater. Each MCM is carried out by a partner agency, follow the links to the respective webpages for additional information.
MCM 1 : Public Education & Outreach
MCM 1 utilizes multiple outreach methods to raise awareness about storm water across a large audience of residents. Educational programming has been developed for all age ranges, schools, scout groups, non-profit organizations and community events.
BMPs associated with the Education and Outreach of the permit includes:
· Internet-based education and outreach (website, social media and advertising)
· Media-based outreach (television, radio and billboards)
· Print-based education and outreach (brochures, fact sheets, articles, press releases, reports)
· Education and outreach events (booths, displays, interactive activities)
· Classroom presentations (k-12 curriculum, training, hands-on instruction)
Our Conservation Education department is responsible for the implementation of this minimum control measure.
MCM 1 : Public Education & Outreach
MCM 1 utilizes multiple outreach methods to raise awareness about storm water across a large audience of residents. Educational programming has been developed for all age ranges, schools, scout groups, non-profit organizations and community events.
BMPs associated with the Education and Outreach of the permit includes:
· Internet-based education and outreach (website, social media and advertising)
· Media-based outreach (television, radio and billboards)
· Print-based education and outreach (brochures, fact sheets, articles, press releases, reports)
· Education and outreach events (booths, displays, interactive activities)
· Classroom presentations (k-12 curriculum, training, hands-on instruction)
Our Conservation Education department is responsible for the implementation of this minimum control measure.

MCM 2 : Public Involvement & Participation
MCM 2 addresses the importance of public involvement and participation in storm water management. Community members have a number of different ways to become involved with storm water management. Activities through the Soil and Water Conservation District include:
Storm Drain Labeling
Storm Drain Labeling is a one or two-hour event that takes place in your neighborhood. Volunteers attach labels reading “No Dumping” onto storm drains. Additionally the group will pass out door hangers to those homes on that particular street being labeled to increase awareness that storm drains empty directly into streams without being treated.
With that knowledge residents can make informed decisions about disposing of household hazardous waste, like motor oil, and will understand the direct effects of pesticides, fertilizers and litter.
Materials and supervision are free to all jurisdictions that are members of the Hamilton County Storm Water District.
If you or your organization is interested in a storm drain labeling event, please complete the Storm Drain Labeling form and a member of our team will contact you for scheduling.
Stream Cleanups
Throughout the year numerous organizations within Hamilton County hold stream cleanups, large and small for the area creeks, streams and rivers. The stream cleanups are a great opportunity for organizations to spend an afternoon improving their local streams.
If your organization would like to volunteer for a stream cleanup, please contact our Storm Water Coordinator and continue to watch for dates on our Calendar!
For additional information on streams, visit the Urban Streams page.
Watershed Signage
Watershed signage is an important aspect to the Storm Water District. This participatory activity provides residents of Hamilton County an opportunity to know their waterways and to become educated on the watershed.
Understanding that every stream is part of a larger system is the first step in taking ownership for the role everyone plays in water quality. These signs identify local streams and the watershed it drains to.
Materials are free to all jurisdictions that are members of the Hamilton County Storm Water District.
If your organization would like to volunteer installing watershed signage, please contact our Storm Water Coordinator for scheduling!
MCM 2 addresses the importance of public involvement and participation in storm water management. Community members have a number of different ways to become involved with storm water management. Activities through the Soil and Water Conservation District include:
Storm Drain Labeling
Storm Drain Labeling is a one or two-hour event that takes place in your neighborhood. Volunteers attach labels reading “No Dumping” onto storm drains. Additionally the group will pass out door hangers to those homes on that particular street being labeled to increase awareness that storm drains empty directly into streams without being treated.
With that knowledge residents can make informed decisions about disposing of household hazardous waste, like motor oil, and will understand the direct effects of pesticides, fertilizers and litter.
Materials and supervision are free to all jurisdictions that are members of the Hamilton County Storm Water District.
If you or your organization is interested in a storm drain labeling event, please complete the Storm Drain Labeling form and a member of our team will contact you for scheduling.
Stream Cleanups
Throughout the year numerous organizations within Hamilton County hold stream cleanups, large and small for the area creeks, streams and rivers. The stream cleanups are a great opportunity for organizations to spend an afternoon improving their local streams.
If your organization would like to volunteer for a stream cleanup, please contact our Storm Water Coordinator and continue to watch for dates on our Calendar!
For additional information on streams, visit the Urban Streams page.
Watershed Signage
Watershed signage is an important aspect to the Storm Water District. This participatory activity provides residents of Hamilton County an opportunity to know their waterways and to become educated on the watershed.
Understanding that every stream is part of a larger system is the first step in taking ownership for the role everyone plays in water quality. These signs identify local streams and the watershed it drains to.
Materials are free to all jurisdictions that are members of the Hamilton County Storm Water District.
If your organization would like to volunteer installing watershed signage, please contact our Storm Water Coordinator for scheduling!
MCM 3 : Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination:
Hamilton County Public Health is responsible for the implementation of MCM 3 for member jurisdictions. HCPH has developed and implemented a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm water system. This has included a Geographical Information System (GIS) map of outfalls which are monitored during dye weather to detect suspicious flows. HCPH also manages approximately 18000 Sewage Treatment Systems (STS) for proper operation.
The Storm Water Hotline is operated by HCPH for anyone needing to report a discharge into a local waterway.
Hotline: 513-946-7000
For more information visit Hamilton County Public Health.
Hamilton County Public Health is responsible for the implementation of MCM 3 for member jurisdictions. HCPH has developed and implemented a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm water system. This has included a Geographical Information System (GIS) map of outfalls which are monitored during dye weather to detect suspicious flows. HCPH also manages approximately 18000 Sewage Treatment Systems (STS) for proper operation.
The Storm Water Hotline is operated by HCPH for anyone needing to report a discharge into a local waterway.
Hotline: 513-946-7000
For more information visit Hamilton County Public Health.
MCM 4: Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control:
MCM 4 requires the control of erosion, sedimentation and other pollution during construction projects and installation of permanent storm water controls into the completed project. Two general types of construction sites are monitoring, individual lots and sites distributing one acre of land or larger. Types of sediment controls that are used on individual sites include silt fencing. Construction sites disturbing one acre or more include temporary sediment traps, sediment basins, and mulch berms.
Our Earthwork Division is responsible for the carrying out these controls for member jurisdictions.
MCM 4 requires the control of erosion, sedimentation and other pollution during construction projects and installation of permanent storm water controls into the completed project. Two general types of construction sites are monitoring, individual lots and sites distributing one acre of land or larger. Types of sediment controls that are used on individual sites include silt fencing. Construction sites disturbing one acre or more include temporary sediment traps, sediment basins, and mulch berms.
Our Earthwork Division is responsible for the carrying out these controls for member jurisdictions.
MCM 5 : Post-Construction:
Hamilton County Planning and Development (HCPD) regulates, reviews, and approves storm water management plans for all new development in the unincorporated areas and selected municipalities of Hamilton County. Controls that can be utilized are Best Management Practices (BMPs) like porous pavement, grassed swales, rain gardens, permanent detention basins, etc.
For more information visit Hamilton County Planning and Development.
Hamilton County Planning and Development (HCPD) regulates, reviews, and approves storm water management plans for all new development in the unincorporated areas and selected municipalities of Hamilton County. Controls that can be utilized are Best Management Practices (BMPs) like porous pavement, grassed swales, rain gardens, permanent detention basins, etc.
For more information visit Hamilton County Planning and Development.
MCM 6 : Good Housekeeping & Prevention Pollution:
Hamilton County Public Health is responsible for the development and implementation of MCM 6. This program includes providing training to townships and member municipalities within the District on preventing and reducing pollutant runoff from maintenance facilities. Each member jurisdiction completes a Water Quality Maintenance Management Plan for the individual facilities with their jurisdiction. HCPH offers assistance to jurisdictions in completing this plan.
For more information visit Hamilton County Public Health.
Hamilton County Public Health is responsible for the development and implementation of MCM 6. This program includes providing training to townships and member municipalities within the District on preventing and reducing pollutant runoff from maintenance facilities. Each member jurisdiction completes a Water Quality Maintenance Management Plan for the individual facilities with their jurisdiction. HCPH offers assistance to jurisdictions in completing this plan.
For more information visit Hamilton County Public Health.