Stormwater is not just fallen raindrops - rainfall carries with it loose material and chemicals that can cause pollution in surface water. Pollutants in stormwater runoff are often transported to storm sewer systems and ultimately discharged directly into local rivers and streams without treatment. Common pollutants in stormwater runoff include trash, solvents, petroleum products, heavy metals, pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, bacteria, and sediment and chemicals from construction sites.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) stormwater program now regulates discharges from many Municipal Separate Storm Water Systems (MS4s). Phase I of the regulations addresses large cities (Tulsa and Oklahoma City) and 11 categories of "industrial activities". Phase II addresses many other cities in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the permitting authority in Oklahoma.

Many city and county members of the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG), including additional cities in Oklahoma, have created the Green Country Stormwater Alliance (GCSA) to collectively address stormwater pollution regionally. INCOG coordinates the GCSA activities, which include a variety of public education programs, technical assistance, and employee training. This website is dedicated to assistance for citizens and businesses within the GCSA, as well as for providing resources for GCSA municipalities themselves.

The following is recently updated information about stormwater pollution and urban water quality protection.  Visit the Educational Materials page for documents and the Internet Resources page for website links. 

Using Rainwater to Grow Livable Communities

Sustainable Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Stormwater best management practices (BMPs) are gaining recognition as effective, flexible, and environmentally sound ways for controlling the quantity and improving the quality of stormwater runoff, while also adding amenity to a wide variety of development projects.  This website (http://www.werf.org/livablecommunities/) is designed to encourage and facilitate the integration of stormwater BMPs into development projects in your area by providing tools and resources for effective communication and implementation as well as in-depth case studies that examine BMP integration in several cities across the United States.

Putting Down Roots

The Oklahoma City Planning Department has prepared "Putting Down Roots," a 116-page guide to choosing and taking care of trees for central Oklahoma landscapes. This guide features full-color photos and information about more than 50 trees appropriate for Oklahoma landscapes.  Much of the information in this guidance can provide technical information important to Green Country Stormwater Alliance and Oklahoma Stream Team members as well as for the general public.  You can download the book now in Adobe Acrobat format (150MB) with a cable or other broadband Internet connection.  Or read the book online here.

303(d) List Impairment and TMDLs

The 303(d) List of impaired waterbodies is updated biannually in Oklahoma. The list is now “Category 5” in the State’s Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report. The 2004 report was approved by EPA in November 2006. Visit the Water Quality in NE Oklahoma page for a map of impaired streams in the Tulsa area. Visit the ODEQ website for more information about stream impairment in Oklahoma. All impaired streams that remain on the Category 5 list must have a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study. The TMDL will set load limits on all point source dischargers and significant non-point sources so that water quality standards will be met. There are many streams in the Tulsa area that will have a TMDL performed over the next 10 years.

The 2006 list is being reviewed by EPA and should be approved in early 2008. The 2008 list is being prepared by ODEQ and should be made abailable for public comment in early 2008.

Phase II Permits are Now Issued

The ODEQ has completed all permit issuance for Phase II cities and counties. Each permittee must fully implement all program elements within the five-year permit cycle. Permittees are beginning their programs by mapping their systems, developing draft ordinances, and establishing public education programs. Activities anticipated in 2008 will be startup of local inspections and enforcement and expansion of public awareness about urban stormwater pollution.