Title
City of Phoenix Stormwater Management Program Update
Description
The report provides the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee an overview of the new and expanded programs and practices required by the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit issued to the City of Phoenix by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix implements a multi-departmental effort to manage Citywide stormwater quality in order to comply with the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, which is required by the federal Clean Water Act and issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The Office of Environmental Programs, and the Water Services, Street Transportation, Public Works, Planning and Development, and Law departments are involved in compliance of the MS4 permit. The MS4 permit is an important part of the City's stormwater management efforts because it authorizes the City to discharge from our stormwater infrastructure into surface waters like the Salt River. The City's new MS4 permit became effective July 1, 2021 and includes several new and expanded components that need to be implemented over the next one to two years.
The City's stormwater infrastructure includes catch basins, storm drains, and outfalls that collect and convey stormwater from City streets and other surfaces to retention/detention basins and surface water channels throughout the City.
The City has an existing stormwater management program but the new permit requires implementation of additional components such as a post-construction stormwater control inventory and inspection program, completion of a retrofit feasibility assessment, expanded construction and industrial and commercial facility inspections, expanded public outreach, and expanded reporting and mapping. Some of these requirements, such as the elements of the post-construction program, will affect both public and private sites/projects.
City staff are currently investigating the resources and staffing needed to comply with the new MS4 permit. Non-compliance with the MS4 permit would lead to the City receiving notices of violation, fines, and the potential for increased oversight and more prescriptive requirements from the regulatory authorities (ADEQ and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
Contract Term
The MS4 permit is a five-year permit and expires in 2026 at which time the current permit will either be administratively continued or the City will be issued a new and updated permit from ADEQ.
Financial Impact
City staff are currently evaluating the financial impact of the new and expanded MS4 permit requirements. More information will be provided to Mayor and Council on this topic at a later date.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters, the Office of Environmental Programs and the Water Services Department.