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Hamilton County Storm Water District
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What is Stormwater?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines stormwater as runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface runoff and drainage. The runoff and drainage caused by precipitation, in any form, that flows over surfaces is considered stormwater. Stormwater runoff is typically recognized as the largest pollutant to waterways in the United States, both rural and urban.

Water quality is a top environmental concern for Americans. Since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, point-source pollution (i.e. pollution with a single identifiable source) from industrial areas and sewage treatment plants has been greatly reduced. Today, increasing water quality problems are from non-point sources of pollution (pollution without a single identifiable source such as excess fertilizer/ herbicide use, urban runoff, or eroding streambanks) including stormwater discharges. Polluted stormwater can lead to fish kills, destruction of wildlife habitat, loss of aesthetic value, impaired recreational areas, and contaminated drinking water resources.
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Hamilton County’s landscape is heavily impacted by stormwater runoff. The actions we take as individual citizens can also contribute to the health of the streams, rivers, and ponds across our County’s landscape. The MS4 permit addresses impacts from stormwater runoff by implementing the six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) and the associated Best Management Practices (BMPs).


© 2015 Hamilton County Storm Water District
Disclaimer: The information presented on these pages is thought to be true and accurate.  However, the Hamilton County  Storm Water District and the Hamilton County Engineer's Office, State of Ohio, accept no responsibility for inaccuracies other than to make corrections to erroneous data.  Dates should be considered 'target dates' and are subject to change for many reasons, including - but not limited to: available funding, weather conditions, feasibility, shifting priorities or emergency expenditures.  Links to other Agency's or commercial sites are provided for convenience only.  The Hamilton County Storm Water District and the Hamilton County Engineer's Office do not endorse any product or service, nor do they accept any responsibility for erroneous or broken links or the content of other Agency's or commercial sites.

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