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Management Plan
KPDES Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Permit No: KYG200011
Overview
The City of Murray cares about protecting our environment and our waterways. We as a city are committed to preserving, protecting, and improving the water quality issue of stormwater run-off in our community. The institution of a Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) will be needed to further reduce adverse impacts to water quality and aquatic habitat.
As a result of Federal and State regulations required under the Kentucky Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (KPDES) Phase II Stormwater Program, the City of Murray is in the process of implementing and enforcing a program to:
- Distribute educational materials and performing public outreach to inform citizens about the impacts of polluted stormwater run-off.
- Provide opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation.
- Detect and eliminate illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste into our storm sewer system.
- Require and enforce erosion and sediment control plans for construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land.
- Address discharges of post-construction storm water run-off from new development and redevelopment areas.
- Encourage good housekeeping and pollution prevention with the goal of reducing pollutant run-off from municipal operations. This would include municipal staff training on pollution prevention and techniques.
- Improve and expand stormwater infrastructure.
When rainfall occurs, the stormwater runs off roofs, driveways, lawns, and roads into the cities storm sewer system. This in turn, empties into our local streams, rivers, and lakes. As the water flows it is possible for pollutants such as dirt, oil, trash, and lawn fertilizers to be carried to our waterways.
The City of Murray cares about our waterways, and as a citizen we are very sure that you care, too. Stormwater goes into our waterways that are inhabited by many animals and aquatic plants. Without proper management, these water sources could degrade and lower the quality of life in our community, along with serious risks of losing some of our natural resources.
The diversity of problems and priorities means that there is no single solution for the City of Murray. However, we feel a utility fee charge, or Stormwater Utility Fee offers a flexible approach to funding that will be designed to meet the needs of the citizens of the City of Murray. The stormwater utility is a key step, but only one step toward a successful Stormwater Management Plan.
Pollution Reduction
Clean stormwater is everybody's business. Responsibility lies with every individual in the City of Murray to do their part. There are many ways to reduce stormwater run-off pollution at home and at work. Listed below are several simple solutions to reduce the amount of pollution carried by stormwater run-off into our waterways.
- DO NOT DUMP ANYTHING DOWN OR AROUND STORM DRAINS.
- ALWAYS PUT LITTER IN ITS PLACE.
- RECYCLE USED MOTOR OIL.
- CHECK YOUR CAR FOR LEAKS. FIX ANY LEAKS IMMEDIATELY.
- USE A CAR WASH TO WASH YOUR CAR. THEY RECYCLE THE USED WATER.
- USE PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZERS SPARINGLY.
- PICK UP AFTER YOUR PETS.
- COLLECT YARD WASTE TO KEEP IT FROM GOING INTO A STORM DRAIN.
- COVER OR SEED EXPOSED SOIL SO IT DOESN'T ERODE.
Links
For more information about understanding stormwater run-off, visit:
Terms
Water Cycle Glossary of Terms
State
http://stormwater.ky.gov/
Four Rivers Watershed, State Home Page
http://water.ky.gov/watershed/Pages/FourRiverBasins.aspx
Research
Center for Watershed Research, Murray State University
http://www.murraystate.edu/wsi/
Federal
Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater
www.epa.gov/owow/nps/
Lower Tennessee Watershed Profile
http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=06040006
USGS
Obtaining the drainage area and information for a stream
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/kentucky.html
Real-Time Clarks River Gage at Almo
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ky/nwis/uv/?site%20no=03610000&PARAmeter%20cd=00065,00060,00062
For Kids
www.epa.gov/owow/nps/kids/