Tarrant'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 June 7, 2017, ADEM issued the current MS4 permit for Tarrant (NPDES Permit No. ALS000020). (TARRANT-Permit.pdf) The permit became effective July 1, 2017. Tarrant 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
  • Public Education and Public Involvement on Storm Water Impacts
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
  • Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
  • Post-Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment
  • Spill Prevention and Response
  • Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
  • Application of Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilizers (PHFs)
  • Oils, Toxics, and Household Hazardous Waste Control
  • Industrial Storm Water Runoff

The City of Tarrant submits an Annual Report to ADEM reporting their stormwater permit requirements. The latest report can be found here. (2016-2017_Annual_Report.pdf)

Each year Tarrant must submit a Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP) which outlines how the city will meet the permit requirements in the upcoming year.
The latest SWMPP can be found here. (Tarrant_Phase1_SWMPP.pdf)

Important Numbers and Links

Call 930-1555

For unknown liquids entering the storm drain system, stream or river

Call 849-2800

For mud leaving a construction site due to improper construction practices

Call 849-2811

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

Fun Stuff for Kids

Contractors/Developers/Engineers

Household Hazardous Waste