Pueblo Reservoir
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Arkansas River
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Mission Statement:
Pueblo West Storm Water Management Division Goal is to provide services necessary to meet requirements of the Clean Water Act and to implement all required provisions of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II Program.
History:
Pueblo West received their official notification letter on January 15, 2002 to obtain a permit for the urbanized area. Map of urbanized area can be seen at the link below.
Starting back in March of 2003 Pueblo West was required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II Program to implement Storm water Management Program. Since March of 2003 Pueblo West has been working on complying with the regulations and requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. A permit was submitted and approved by the EPA. By March of 2008 Pueblo West must be in full compliance with the requirements stated in Pueblo West Storm water Permit. At a minimum, the general permit will require that the Non-Standard MS4 operator (Pueblo West) develop, implement, and enforce a storm water management program to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable (MEP). The EPA remains the permitting authority in a few states, territories, and on most land in Indian Country.
Overview:
Rainwater, snowmelt and over watering run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites and pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Here in Pueblo West we use roadside ditches and drainage easements to carry our storm water. Any storm water that does not seep into the ground makes its way to the Arkansas River or the Pueblo Reservoir without being treated. Although an individual site may not cause an impact to the rivers and lakes a size of Pueblo West can have a very negative effect to our rivers and lakes. Pueblo West has adopted the "Storm Drainage Design Criteria and Drainage Policies for the City of Pueblo" by resolution. Any developer who decides to build a commercial building or a building structure larger than a Duplex in Pueblo West must follow these guidelines. Storm water runoff is our most common cause of water pollution since it does not get treated. Because storm water pollution is caused by so many different activities, traditional regulatory controls will only go so far. Education and outreach are key components to any successful storm water program.
Simple household activities can have a negative impact on Colorado's water quality:
Improperly disposing of motor oil
Overusing lawn and garden products
Leaving pet waste on the ground
Pueblo West has established working relationships with other local organizations that are involved with addressing storm water issues and more specifically the NPDES Phase II regulations. District staff has participated in a county-side storm water quality advisory committee that includes representatives from the City, Pueblo County, Colorado State University – Pueblo, Pueblo Community College, School District 60 and the business and development communities.
Survey Results:
In December of 2004 a survey was sent out to 5000 residents about their knowledge of storm water. 1033 Residents mailed back the survey. Pueblo West Stormwater Division greatly appreciates your help. The results are in and have been tabulated. Click here to see the Pueblo West Stormwater Survey results.
The Six Minimum Control Measures:
There are six minimum control measures in the Pueblo West Permit that gives us guidelines and requirements to follow. Under each one of these six measures are requirements that must be bet by March of 2008. The links below will give you a better understanding of what is asked of Pueblo West. Also there is some great information and guidelines to help you do your part on preventing pollution into our rivers and lakes.
1. Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts.
2. Public involvement/participation.
3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
4. Construction site stormwater runoff control.
5. Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment.
6. Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.
Pueblo West Stormwater Division appreciates any help and participation in helping reduce the Pollution into our streams, rivers and lakes. If everybody does there part, we as a community can make a difference in Pueblo West.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to call the Pueblo West Public Works Engineering Department at 719-547-9801.
Other Storm Water Informational Links:
