NPDES Report
Annual NPDES Final Reports
By March 10, 2003, all municipalities in Lake County were required to have a permit for phase two of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). NPDES is entering its second phase in an effort to address the remaining non-point source pollution issues with municipal storm sewer outfalls. Measurable, annual objectives addressing six “minimum control measures” were required.
One advantage Lake County has over others is that through the countywide activities of the Stormwater Management Commission (SMC), including the Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO), four of the six-phase two program components are already in place.
SMC is the Qualified Local Program (QLP). The Village of Vernon Hills is the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
SMC has taken the lead on coordinating the local program, and has provided technical assistance and outreach services. This approach gave the local entities freedom to tailor our own programs to meet the six minimum control standards outlined in the NPDES regulations.
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation/Involvement
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Local entities also benefit from the ad-hoc Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC), made up of municipal, township, drainage district, consulting, and county representatives. MAC coordinated and reviewed the Notice of Intent (NOI) and other program components. The goal of NPDES Phase II is to preserve, protect, and improve water resources by reducing pollutants in storm water runoff. We began attending these monthly meetings in March 2003.
The following had to be provided as an attachment to the NOI:
- The Best Management Practices (BMP's) to be implemented and the measurable goals for each of the storm water minimum control measures designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.
- The month and year in which we will start and fully implement each of the minimum control measures or indicate the frequency of the action.
- The person or persons responsible for implementing or coordinating our storm water management program.
- Identification of a local qualifying program, SMC.
In June of each year, the report for the previous year and measurable goals for the next year are due to the Enviornmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Below are various links you can visit for more information on NPDES Phase II.
This page contains technical and regulatory information about the NPDES stormwater program. It is organized according to the three types of regulated stormwater discharges and provides a link to Stormwater Month outreach materials.
The Center for Watershed Protection
Founded in 1992, the Center for Watershed Protection is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that provides local governments, activists, and watershed organizations around the country with the technical tools for protecting some of the nation’s most precious natural resources: our streams, lakes and rivers. The Center has developed and disseminated a multi-disciplinary strategy to watershed protection that encompasses watershed planning, watershed restoration, stormwater management, watershed research, better site design, education and outreach, and watershed training.
Solid Waste Agency of Lake County
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) is a municipal joint-action agency responsible for developing and administering a solid waste management system for Lake County, Illinois. The Agency is a unit of local government that provides technical assistance to it's members on solid waste issues.
Stormwater Management Commission
Stormwater Management Commission’s (SMC) mission is to coordinate the stormwater activities of over 90 jurisdictions in throughout the county. SMC provides technical assistance, local knowledge and problem-solving skills to coordinate flood damage reduction, water quality enhancements and natural resource protection projects and programs.