Preventing Stormwater Pollution 

Stormwater regulations intended to help clean up our nation’s lakes, streams, and rivers are changing the way construction contractors and government agencies such as the City of Champlin do business. Called the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, these regulations are actually a result of an old law –the federal Clean Water Act, passed in 1974. The regulations are designed to reduce water pollution and damage caused by runoff from construction sites, industrial facilities, and stormwater facilities such as storm sewers.

Parties that fall under these regulations – including the City of Champlin - are required to develop a stormwater pollution prevention program, or SWPPP, that includes “Best Management Practices” to minimize pollution. They must also obtain a stormwater permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Construction contractors must get a permit for almost every construction job over one acre in size. Cities such as Champlin can get a longer-term permit, but must report to the state annually what the city has been doing to prevent stormwater pollution.

Champlin’s SWPPP includes such things as street sweeping, inspecting construction sites to be sure erosion control is properly in place, informing the public and contractors about what they can do to prevent pollution, and regularly inspecting and maintaining the storm sewer system. Champlin is located in two watersheds – the West Mississippi Watershed, and the Elm Creek Watershed. Each of those watershed areas is governed by a board of citizen commissioners that have further requirements for stormwater treatment, flood control, wetland conservation, and stormwater management. The watershed requirements are essential parts of the city’s SWPPP.

The purpose of the NPDES program is to prevent pollution before it starts. Cleaning up polluted lakes and streams is expensive and time-consuming. Stormwater pollution also impacts wildlife such as fish, turtles, frogs, birds, and insects. In the long run, pollution prevention will help keep our lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands cleaner.

The City of Champlin reviews its SWPPP annually, and holds a public meeting in the spring of each year to take public comment. The date of the public meeting will be posted both on the City’s web site and in the Champlin Dayton Press. The SWPPP is available to the public for review at any time. For more information contact Jack Bittle, City Engineer at 763 421-1955.