BASWA
Overview
In 1972, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was created under the Clean Water Act. The NPDES is a permitting program which regulates point sources that discharge pollutants to surface waters of the United States and affect water quality. Point sources are discernable, confined, and discrete conveyances, such as pipes or manmade ditches, from which pollutants may be discharged.
There are various NPDES program areas, one of which is the NPDES Stormwater Program. The Stormwater Program regulates some stormwater discharges from three potential sources, including municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, and industrial activities. As the name implies, MS4s are separate from sanitary sewer systems and convey untreated stormwater directly to surface waters of the state. Beginning in 1990, Phase I regulation of MS4s went into effect, requiring medium and large cities, or certain counties with populations of 100,000 or more, to obtain permit coverage for their stormwater discharges. In 2003, Phase II went into effect, requiring small MS4s in urbanized areas as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, as well as MS4s designated by the permitting authority, to obtain permit coverage for their stormwater discharges.
Bay County is required to obtain MS4 permit coverage as a Phase II MS4 operator, as are some townships, school districts, cities, and other entities in the Bay Area. When Phase II first went into effect, the affected municipalities formed the Bay Area StormWater Authority (BASWA) to meet state and federal storm water regulations, as well as to collaborate on a common goal. It has been the vision of the BASWA since then to address water quality issues related to stormwater by identifying and eliminating illicit discharges and to educate the public on how to improve water quality.
MS4 permit issuance requires the development and approval of a StormWater Management Program (SWMP). The SWMP outlines stormwater control practices that are implemented to minimize the discharge of pollutants from an MS4. This program is made available to the public by each MS4 permitee and feedback on its effectiveness is always welcome.
Polluted stormwater is a major contributor to the impairment of waterbodies that do not meet water quality standards. When stormwater is unchecked, changes in water quality caused by pollution can result in habitat modification and loss, increased flooding, decreased aquatic biological diversity, increased erosion and sedimentation, diminished recreational areas, public health threats, and more.
Please refer to our educational resources to learn easy ways that you can help improve water quality in the Bay Area!
To make comments or ask questions about the BASWA, the NPDES MS4 Permit, or Bay County’s SWMP please reach out to Bay County’s Stormwater Program Manager, Jessica Letherer, at [email protected]