Drain Commissioner

Model Stormwater Ordinance

The Drain Commissioner and many other individuals have worked on a Task Force to draft a model stormwater ordinance since late 1999. This Task Force was started in anticipation of the Nation Pollution Discharge Elimination System Phase II (NPDES). NPDES Phase II are regulations created by the Environmental Protection Agency to address storm water discharges into the nation's lakes, rivers, streams, and the oceans.

Phase I of the regulations addressed the point discharges such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial discharges. Phase II of NPDES addresses non-point source pollution such as fertilizers, soil erosion, etc... that is carried into our inland lakes and streams by runoff.

The model ordinance that resulted from this collaborative effort is the result of many committee and subcommittee meetings. Input from Engineers, Legal Representatives, Biologists, Hydrologists, Developers and Local Officials was sought and incorporated into the document. The document can be obtained in pdf format from the link below or a copy can be picked up from the Drain Commissioner's Office.