Understanding Stormwater Runoff
When rain falls in urban areas, it lands on surfaces like streets, parking lots, and roofs, creating stormwater. Since it is unable to soak into the ground, it flows off these surfaces, dragging pollutants with it and heading downhill to the nearest stream. To tackle this issue, the stormwater system incorporates catch basins, ditches, and pipes that slow or redirect the flow to areas where the natural environment can filter it.
Two major concerns regarding stormwater runoff are the volume and intensity of the water, as well as the potential contaminants that it may carry to a storm drain, river, stream, wetland, or lake.
Independence’s stormwater systems play a crucial role in maintaining clean water in the community. They prevent excessive rain runoff and pollution from entering the local streams and rivers, making a significant contribution to the health of the community.
The City of Independence is committed to promoting and designing efficient stormwater systems. Our main objective is to encourage clean water practices that preserve, maintain, and enhance both groundwater and surface water resources.
Erosion and Sediment Control
Understanding Erosion, Sedimentation and it’s Environmental Impacts
Erosion control is a critical measure to prevent and manage water or wind erosion in a multitude of environments. These include agricultural land, coastal regions, riverbanks, construction sites, and land development. Effective erosion control techniques are necessary to manage surface runoff, control soil loss, reduce water pollution, preserve animal habitats, and prevent property damage.
Stormwater Management
Maintaining good water quality, protecting fish habitats, and defending properties and infrastructure from flooding are all critical community objectives that rely heavily on stormwater management. Urban areas channel stormwater runoff to storm drains, gutters, ditches, swales or pipes, which eventually leads to rivers. Unlike wastewater from indoor plumbing, stormwater is not treated before it enters our waterways. Therefore, it is important for everyone to take responsibility for keeping our water clean.
Tips for Eco-Friendly Car Washing to Protect Stormwater
It’s crucial to remember that stormwater flows untreated into local waterways. To prevent soap and car grime from entering the stormwater system, it’s best to wash your vehicles on your lawn or in an area that won’t contribute to such a runoff.
Safeguarding Our Streets and Preventing Flooding Storm Drains
Stormwater runoff is a serious issue that can lead to hazardous flooding along city streets and intersections. This is where Independence’s catch basins or storm drains come in. The Public Works Department works to keep city drains clear and prevent flooding.
Help Reduce Storm Water Impact On Our Rivers & Wetlands With These Helpful Tips
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Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
The City of Independence is a Designated Management Agency (DMA) as identified by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). As a DMA, the City of Independence has authority over the sources of pollution entering Ash Creek which contributes to water quality issues in the Willamette River. The City must implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control pollution in Ash Creek and other waterways as required by Department of Environmental Quality. DEQ requires many local governments to develop and implement a TMDL Implementation Plan. According to the federal Clean Water Act, Oregon is required to establish Total Maximum Daily Loads for streams segments which do not meet water quality standards. The TMDL identifies the level of pollutants that water body can receive and still meet water quality standards. TMDLs take in to account pollution from all sources, including residential areas, businesses, industry, and construction sites.
In response to DEQ, the City has developed a TMDL Implementation Plan according to DEQ regulations. This document sets out specific BMPs that will address contributions of mercury to local waterways. Mercury is toxic heavy metal. Bioaccumulation of mercury in fish tissue can lead to fish consumption limits due to health hazards associated with consuming fish. Waterways can become contaminated when soils that naturally contain mercury are eroded. The City of Independence is also required to address elevated bacteria and temperature in local waterways.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
The City of Independence is a Designated Management Agency (DMA) as identified by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). As a DMA, the City of Independence has authority over the sources of pollution entering Ash Creek which contributes to water quality issues in the Willamette River. The City must implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control pollution in Ash Creek and other waterways as required by Department of Environmental Quality. DEQ requires many local governments to develop and implement a TMDL Implementation Plan. According to the federal Clean Water Act, Oregon is required to establish Total Maximum Daily Loads for streams segments which do not meet water quality standards. The TMDL identifies the level of pollutants that water body can receive and still meet water quality standards. TMDLs take in to account pollution from all sources, including residential areas, businesses, industry, and construction sites.
In response to DEQ, the City has developed a TMDL Implementation Plan according to DEQ regulations. This document sets out specific BMPs that will address contributions of mercury to local waterways. Mercury is toxic heavy metal. Bioaccumulation of mercury in fish tissue can lead to fish consumption limits due to health hazards associated with consuming fish. Waterways can become contaminated when soils that naturally contain mercury are eroded. The City of Independence is also required to address elevated bacteria and temperature in local waterways.
Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution
NPS pollution generally results from land runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, drainage, seepage or hydrologic modification. NPS pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground waters.