The Hamilton County Storm Water District has been established in response to the federally mandated Phase II storm water program. The Ohio EPA is issuing a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit that authorizes operators to discharge stormwater from small construction activities and requires the development and implementation of a stormwater management program (SWMP) to reduce the contamination of stormwater runoff, and prohibit illicit discharges.
The Storm Water District represents Hamilton County's commitment to storm water issues. The District membership consists of 23 of the 37 municipal corporations and all 12 townships in Hamilton County.
We invite you to browse our website to learn more about stormwater and the Storm Water District. New information will continually be added to this website, with the long range goal being a website that can serve as a central repository for all storm water related material.
What is the Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4s) General Permit?
The MS4 General Permit begins with the Clean Water Act of 1972 and the 1987 amendments to this act (e.g. Water Quality Act). This act, mandated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), adopts regulations requiring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permits for stormwater dischargers. This discharge can be runoff from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops during rainfall and snow events, but also stormwater that flows into, through, and eventually out of storm sewers.
In 1992, U.S. EPA gave authority to Ohio EPA to issue general NPDES permits and by 1993, regulations were changed to include stormwater discharges with minor impacts on the receiving stream. These requirements are outlined in Ohio EPA’s MS4 permit, which helps to protect both public health and the aquatic environment. The latest Ohio EPA’s MS4 permit (OHQ000004) was issued on April 1, 2021, and is valid until March 31, 2026. The MS4 Permit establishes performance standards for six minimum control measures (MCMs) to reduce discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable and requires permittees to implement a stormwater management program (SWMP) to achieve these standards. The District provides the services necessary to assist the County and its Co-Permittees in complying with the MS4 permit.
The District:
In 1992, U.S. EPA gave authority to Ohio EPA to issue general NPDES permits and by 1993, regulations were changed to include stormwater discharges with minor impacts on the receiving stream. These requirements are outlined in Ohio EPA’s MS4 permit, which helps to protect both public health and the aquatic environment. The latest Ohio EPA’s MS4 permit (OHQ000004) was issued on April 1, 2021, and is valid until March 31, 2026. The MS4 Permit establishes performance standards for six minimum control measures (MCMs) to reduce discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable and requires permittees to implement a stormwater management program (SWMP) to achieve these standards. The District provides the services necessary to assist the County and its Co-Permittees in complying with the MS4 permit.
The District:
- Provides services to each Co-Permittee member to meet and comply with performance standards for regulatory requirements MCMs established by the MS4 permit at the national and state level
- Prepares and updates guidelines, protocols, procedures, plans, regulatory language, and other documents necessary to establish and maintain minimum compliance
- Represents the collective interests of all jurisdictions to regulatory agencies and the public
- Promotes pollution prevention through educational activities and events for people of all ages and interests to reduce reliance on more costly structural controls
- Minimizes individual jurisdiction costs through creation of a dedicated funding source
- Takes advantage of economies of scale by building on existing County programs and program staff
