Stormwater Management Program

In December 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that requires certain small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) to participate in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and obtain a stormwater permit. The intent of this rule is to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff through actions implemented by the operators of MS4s , such as the system operated by Northern Arizona University. Northern Arizona University is one of a number of Arizona non-municipal entities required to obtain a permit.

Simple things can be done at home and on campus to participate in pollution prevention:

• Dispose of hazardous waste properly: Be careful how you dispose of items in your home. Many things like batteries, cleaners, solvents, and many things you might not think of are hazardous and should be disposed of properly to avoid contaminating our water systems.
• Conserve water: This is always important and means more than just conservation. Flowing water picks up an array of contaminants from streets, sidewalks, and driveways. When watering, make sure that you apply just enough water without allowing excess water to flow down the driveway or into the street.
• Limit pesticide and herbicide use: If you must use household and garden chemicals, do so sparingly. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s directions, especially concerning the correct amounts for application.
• Properly dispose of pet waste: Excessive bacteria can cause blooms of harmful algae. Cleaning up after your pet reduces the introduction of harmful bacteria into the water system.
• Report illegal dumping: If you see someone improperly disposing of hazardous materials, or an illegal dumpsite, report it to NAU Department of Environmental Health & Safety 928-523-6109 or NAU Police 928-523-3611.
• Attend Environmental Caucus meetings: If you have questions about stormwater in general or would like to participate in environmental discussions involving campus or community outreach, the NAU Environmental Caucus in the Office of Sustainability. It facilitates creative and strategic communication across campus to advance the institutional commitment to sustainability and to promote education, research, and collaboration on the environment.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is the permitting authority for the State of Arizona through the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The ADEQ has created a General Permit that requires regulated communities to comply with six required Minimum Control Measures (MCMs):

• Public education and outreach
• Public involvement/participation
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Construction site runoff control
• Post-construction site runoff control
• Pollution prevention/good housekeeping

Each MCM has mandatory components that Northern Arizona University must address and that will be satisfied by implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) incorporated into campus operations.

The following categories of non-stormwater discharges are only prohibited if the discharges are identified as significant contributors of pollutants to or from the stormwater conveyance system:

• Water line flushing
• Landscape irrigation
• Diverted stream flows
• Rising ground waters
• Uncontaminated ground water infiltration
• Uncontaminated pumped groundwater
• Discharges from potable water sources
• Foundation drains
• Air conditioning condensate
• Irrigation water
• Springs
• Water from crawl space pumps
• Footing drains
• Lawn watering
• Individual residential car washing
• Discharges from riparian habitats and wetlands
• Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges
• Street wash water
• Discharges or flows from emergency fire-fighting activities

• NAU Annual MS4 Report, 2022
• NAU Annual MS4 Report, 2023
• NAU Annual MS4 Report, 2021

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires all construction sites over one acre in size to secure a stormwater discharge permit.

The permit also requires that a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) be complete and ready to implement at the time the work is to begin at the site. The EPA provides more information about NPDES stormwater permits on the Office of Wastewater Management site.

For the prevention of stormwater discharges associated with Facilities operations and maintenance (O&M) activities, refer to the O&M plan below:

• Stormwater Operations & Maintenance Plan

The EPA regulates stormwater discharges from construction sites, including clearing, grading, and excavation activities. Construction activities may include:

• Road building
• Construction of residential houses
• Office buildings
• Industrial buildings
• Demolition activity

If a construction activity is undertaken at an industrial facility that already holds a permit for industrial stormwater discharges, a separate permit must be obtained for the construction activity. The EPA general permit for stormwater discharges from construction activities requires the submittal of a Notice of Intent (NOI) at least two days before the start of construction.

The EPA allows the construction site operator(s) to file a Notice of Termination (NOT) which certifies that specific activities in the SWPPP have ended and that one of the following conditions is true:

• Final stabilization is complete, and temporary erosion and sediment controls have been removed.
• All discharges from the construction area have been eliminated.
• The operator has changed, and the new operator is responsible for compliance. (The new operator is responsible for submitting an NOT if activities continue.)

The EPA provides more information about NPDES stormwater permits on their Office of Wastewater Management site.

The NPDES stormwater program requires permits for discharges from construction activities that disturb one or more acres, and discharges from smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be developed for each construction site covered by an NPDES stormwater discharge permit. The SWPPP shall include, at a minimum, the following items:

• Site description of appropriate pollution prevention controls
• Maintenance schedule
• Inspections

The SWPPP should be retained on site by the discharger. Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies have the authority to review the SWPPP at any time.

The purpose of this Enforcement Response Plan (ERP) is to provide standard enforcement response protocol for illicit discharges and potential illicit discharges into the storm drain system. This ERP is a guidance document to outline consistent enforcement actions by the university that will reactively control illicit discharges and proactively eliminate potential illicit discharges to ensure compliance with all state and local stormwater related pollution prevention laws. This ERP applies to all operations and work activities occurring on the NAU campus and other activities that could impact cross-contamination at borders with the City of Flagstaff and the Arizona Department of Transportation (Interstate 40). Construction sites are regulated under site-specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans after a Notice of Intent is filed.

This ERP also satisfies the Multi Sector General Permit (#AZG2016-002) conditions issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for an ERP document (Condition 3.3) and Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (Condition 6.4.3) program.

• NAU Enforcement Response Plan
• NAU Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Plan