What is Stormwater Phase II?

In response to the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed Phase I of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Program in 1990. The Phase I program addressed sources of storm water runoff that had the greatest potential to negatively impact water quality.

The Phase II Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 1999, expanded the stormwater permit program to include stormwater discharges from certain regulated small MS4s (Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems) and construction activity that disturbs between 1 and 5 acres of land.

The MS4 permit requires regulated municipal MS4s (those with a minimum population density of 1000 people per square mile and are located in urban areas as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau) to develop and fully implement a stormwater management program by 2008. Stormwater management programs must contain appropriate management practices in each of the following minimum control measure categories: Public Education and Outreach; Public Involvement and Participation; Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination; Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control; Post-Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control; and Pollution Prevention for Municipal Employees.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from rain or other means that doesn't soak into the ground but runs off into waterways. As it flows from rooftops, over paved areas, bare soil, and through sloped lawns it picks up a variety of materials including soil, animal waste, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil and grease, debris and other potential pollutants. The quality and quantity of runoff is affected by a variety of factors depending on the season, local meteorology, geography and activities taking place along the path of its flow.

Why is Stormwater a Problem?

Stormwater gathers a variety of pollutants that are mobilized during runoff events. Polluted runoff degrades our lakes, rivers, wetland and other waterways . Transported soil clouds receiving waters and interferes with fish habitat and aquatic plant life.

Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can be harmful to aquatic life by promoting the overgrowth of algae and depleting oxygen in the waterway. Toxic chemicals from automobiles, sediment from construction activities and careless application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers threaten the health of the receiving waterway and can kill fish and other aquatic life. Bacteria from animal wastes and illicit connections to sewer systems can make nearby lakes and bays unsafe for wading, swimming and the propagation of edible shellfish. According to an inventory conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), half of the impaired waterways in the United States are affected by stormwater runoff from urban/suburban and construction sources.

What's Being Done?

Significant improvements have been achieved in controlling pollutants that are discharged from point sources such as sewage and wastewater treatment plants. Across the nation, attention is shifting to non-point sources of pollution such as stormwater runoff. Stormwater management, especially in urban areas, is becoming a necessary step in the process of further reducing water pollution despite the inherent challenges it brings.

The City of Pascagoula is in the midst of complying with the EPA's Stormwater Phase II requirements.  Please bookmark this page and come back often as we will be updating it with new information as it becomes available.

What can I do?

If you would like to file a complaint or notify us as to any non-compliance please click here or call David Groves at 938-6620.

Educational Links