According to the Ohio EPA, stormwater discharges are generated by runoff from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops during rainfall and snow events. Stormwater often contains pollutants in quantities that could adversely affect water quality. Most stormwater discharges are considered point sources and require coverage by an NPDES permit. The primary method to control stormwater discharges is through the use of best management practices (BMPs).
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) in Licking County
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requires a permit for all facilities discharging pollutants from a point source to a water of the state. Pollutants are broadly defined as any type of industrial, municipal or agricultural wastewater.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Programs in Licking County
As defined by Ohio EPA, a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) that are owned or operated by a public body, designed and used for collecting storm water. A MS4 is not a combined sewer and is not part of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).
Licking Soil & Water manages and assists with various aspects of the MS4 Program for many communities in Licking County including: City of Newark, City of Heath, Village of Buckeye Lake, Village of Granville, Village of Hebron, Village of Hanover, Etna Township, Licking Township, Granville Township, Harrison Township, Madison Township, Newton Township and Union Township.
Resources for Partners and Community Members Related to MS4 Minimum Control Measures (MCM)
MCM 1: Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts:
MCM 2: Public Involvement/Participation:
MCM 3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
If an illicit discharge is discovered, complete an ILLICIT DISCHARGE REPORT FORM and return it to Licking Soil & Water as soon as possible. Licking Soil & Water coordinates illicit discharge investigations, performs water quality testing on-site, determines discharge source, and works with landowners to eliminate the discharge.
Discharge refers to a pollutant. When something other than clean water is flowing out of a pipe or into a waterway is discovered, it could be polluted discharge. For example, a failing septic system may have a foul-smelling liquid flowing out of a pipe and into a waterway. Water in a ditch with an oily sheen may also be the result of illicit discharge.
According to the Ohio EPA, Illicit Discharge is defined at 40 CFR 122.26(b)(2) and refers to any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer that is not entirely composed of stormwater, except discharges authorized under an NPDES permit (other than the NPDES permit for discharges from the MS4) and discharges resulting from firefighting activities.
MCM 4: Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
Licking Soil & Water inspects sediment and erosion controls on constructions sites in Licking County to look for properly functioning silt fencing, stormwater system inlet protection, channel and stream protection, etc. We also look for proper construction of long term stormwater infrastructure.
Licking Soil & Water reviews new development plans with Licking County’s Technical Review Committee, a collaboration between Licking County Planning and Development, Licking County Engineer’s Office, Licking Soil & Water, and other agencies. Licking Soil & Water specifically looks at construction site sediment and erosion controls, stormwater pollution prevention plans, and compliance with Licking County’s Soil Erosion and Stormwater Regulations and Ohio EPA’s General Construction Permit for Stormwater.
If you plan to develop property in Licking County that will disturb greater than 1 acre of land, call Licking County Planning and Development at (740) 670-5200.
MCM 5: Post Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment
The documents below are to assist with the construction and post-construction process in relation to stormwater infrastructure:
Licking Soil & Water Developer Guidance Packet
Operations and Maintenance Agreement Packet for Developers in MS4 Urbanized Areas
MCM 6: Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
Licking Soil & Water offers training on pollution prevention in the workplace for Municipal Operations. Training covers pollution prevention concepts related to utilizing and maintaining equipment; pesticide, fertilizer, and salt storage and handling; and general workplace pollution prevention.
Licking Soil & Water can also assist municipalities with developing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans for Municipal Operations. For more information about pollution prevention training and SWPPP, contact Licking Soil & Water at UrbanTech@LickingSWCD.com or 740-670-5330.
Archived MS4 Annual Reports
Annual reports also available at the office at 771 East Main Street, Suite 100, Newark, OH. Electronic copies are available by emailing the request to Information@LickingSWCD.com or calling 740-670-5330.
A Case Study in Best Management Practices: Green Infrastructure in Downtown Newark
The term "bioswale" may hold little meaning for the average citizen, but as the video below explains, they are one of the most beneficial landscape architecture features. Bioswales are simple landscaping features used to slow, collect, infiltrate, and filter stormwater. They are designed to manage a specified amount of runoff from a large impervious area, such as a parking lot or roadway.
Bioswales are deciphered in this informative video produced by the City of Newark.