IRONDALE’S STORMWATER PROGRAM
Background
In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed to help protect rivers, streams, and lakes from pollution. From this Act the newly created United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The purpose of the NPDES program was to track and control sources of pollution through permitting. In 1987, the NPDES program’s focus was widened to include permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4). The first MS4 permits for cities within Alabama were distributed in 1996. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is responsible for administering the permits in Alabama. The duration of each permit is five years.
Program Overview
On July 11, 2022, ADEM issued the current MS4 permit for Irondale (NPES Permit No. ALS000019). The permit became effective on July 1, 2017. Irondale is currently a member of Storm Water Management Authority, Inc. (SWMA) which has a membership of 21 cities within Jefferson County. SWMA helps the member cities cost share many of the permit requirements.
The components of the permit are as follow:
| · Storm Water Collection System Operations | · Spill Prevention and Response |
| · Public Education and Public Involvement on Storm Water Impacts | · Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations |
| · Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) | · Application of Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilizers (PHFs) |
| · Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control | · Oils, Toxics, and Household Hazardous Waste Control |
| · Post-Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment | · Industrial Storm Water Runoff |
The City of Irondale submits an Annual Report to ADEM reporting their stormwater permit requirements. The latest report can be found here. A copy of the Appendices can be provided upon request.
Each year Irondale must submit a Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP) which outlines how the city will meet the permit requirements in the upcoming year. Please click here for the current year’s SWMPP. A copy of the Appendices can be provided upon request.
Important Numbers and Links
| Call 930-1999 | For unknown liquids entering the storm drain system, stream or river |
| Call 951-1417 | For mud leaving a construction site due to improper construction practices |
| Call 951-1408 | For any spill |
| Call 942-0681 | Sanitary Sewer Overflow |
What is Stormwater and What Can I Do to Help?
Stormwater is rainwater, snow melt, or even water from a garden hose that flows into the storm sewer system. Stormwater can come from many different sources including rooftops, street curbs, and paved areas. Once the excess water from these sources reach the storm sewer, the water is piped to the nearest creek, river, or stream untreated and could eventually end up in the drinking water supply.
For more information on stormwater and what you can do as a citizen, business owner, or developer click on the links and/or pamphlets below.
Residents/Businesses
-
- General Information
- Watershed Information
- Watershed Protection Program (pdf)
- Illicit Discharges
- Cleaning Supplies
- Littering
- Don’t Leave your Waste in My Place Bookmark (pdf)
- Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
- Keep It Green and Simple (pdf)
- Pesticides (pdf)
- Fertilizers
- Car Washing
- Pet Waste
- Rain Barrel (pdf)
- Cooking Grease Recycling
- Water and Energy Efficiency
- Vehicles
- Carpet
- Stormwater Pond Maintenance
- http://www.earth911.com
Fun Stuff for Kids
- Coloring Sheet and Word Search (pdf)
- Watershed Coloring Sheet (pdf)
- Watershed Protection Program Crossword Puzzle (pdf)
Contractors/Developers/Engineers
- Erosion and sediment control for individual lots (pdf)
- Alabama’s Field Guide for Erosion and Sedimentation Control on Construction Sites (pdf)
- Alabama’s Low Impact Development Handbook
- EPA’s Low Impact Development Webpage
Household Hazardous Waste
- Electronics’ Donation and Recycling
- General Recycling including Motor Oil
- Jefferson County Environmental Community Resource Booklet
Stormwater Controls