1. Sacramento County Stormwater Quality Program
Overview of the
Sacramento County Stormwater Quality Program
Presentation to Sacramento Environmental Commission
May 21, 2018

2. Regulatory Background
The Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into waters of the United States
Per the CWA, entities that own and operate storm drain systems are required to have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and implement a program that reduces the discharge of pollutants

3. NPDES Permit – Sacramento County
First permit issued in All other incorporate cities within County also have a NPDES permit (except Isleton)
County and cities have formed a partnership to achieve efficiency for shared NPDES permit requirements
This partnership is known as the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership and includes Sacramento County and the cities within the Sacramento County boundary
Beginning in 2016, permits are now region-based and permit requirements have evolved from being activity focused to outcome focused
The first Stormwater Permit was issued to the Permittees in 1990
Permits are renewed in 5 years terms and we’re currently in the process of negotiating the terms of our fourth permit

4. County Departments Involved in Permit Compliance
Water Resources (Administers Permit)
Community Planning and Development
Construction Management and Inspection Division
Transportation
Regional Parks
Environment Management Department
District Attorney
Sheriff
Department of General Services
Sacramento County Airport System
Department of Waste Management and Recycling
DWR is the lead group in implementing the County’s Stormwater Permit:
we’re a resource to other depts.
we provide training
we coordinate with other depts. to collect and compile data documenting permit compliance
we prepare permit compliance reports and other required submittals

5. General Stormwater Permit Requirements
Effectively prohibit non-stormwater discharges
Monitor discharge and receiving water quality
Reduce pollutants in stormwater to the maximum extent practicable (MEP)
Develop and implement a Stormwater Quality Improvement Plan (SQIP) to accomplish these objectives
Submit Annual Reports
The SQIP is available on our website, the link to which is provided on the last slide

6. County Stormwater Regulations
Stormwater Ordinance
County Code Chapter 15.12
Land Grading and Erosion Control Ordinance
Erosion and Sediment Control Standards and Specifications
New Development Standards

7. Elements of the County’s Stormwater Quality Program
Construction
Commercial/Industrial*
Municipal Operations
Illicit (Illegal) Discharges
Planning and New Development
Public Education and Outreach*
Monitoring*
Water Quality Based Program (Target Pollutant Program)*
Program Management
Joint Program activities:
are cost effective
provide area-wide consistency, which makes it easier for businesses to comply Stormwater regulations
* Indicates joint program activities performed collectively as the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership

8. Construction Element Examples of compliance activities:
Conduct plan review and permitting starting at the earliest possible stage of a project
Inspect construction sites and enforce ordinances and codes to control construction-related discharges
Provide improvement standards and specifications to the construction community

9. Commercial/Industrial Element
Examples of compliance activities:
Inspections of 9 business categories conducted through EMD’s Commercial and Industrial Stormwater Compliance Program (over 5,000)
Develop compliance assistance materials
Enforcement of local Stormwater Ordinance

10. Illicit Discharges Element
Examples of compliance activities:
Public complaint response and enforcement of the Stormwater Ordinance for:
Prohibited non-stormwater discharges
Illicit connections

11. Municipal Operations Element
Examples of compliance activities:
Conduct annual training for employees
Conduct inspections of County facilities to ensure compliance
Develop pollution prevention plans for municipal sites and activities

12. Monitoring and Target Pollutant Element
Examples of compliance activities:
Conduct monitoring to characterize urban runoff and receiving water quality
Identify and focus resources on pollutants most likely to impair local receiving waters
Develop pollution control strategies and best management practices to address target pollutants

13. Public Education and Outreach Element
Examples of compliance activities:
Develop educational materials, conduct media campaigns, and encourage public participation in creek cleanups and pollution prevention practices
Target groups include businesses, school children, and community residents

14. New Development Element
Examples of stormwater treatment measures include:
vegetated swales
detention basins
sand filters
bioretention:
Using the chemical, biological and physical properties of plants, microbes and soils for removal of pollutants from storm water runoff
Examples of compliance activities:
Ensure compliance with New Development Standards that require post-construction stormwater treatment measures
Conduct outreach to educate the development community about requirements

15. Next Steps in Stormwater
Low Impact Development (LID)
Reduce impervious surfaces through the use of alternative materials or alternative site layouts
Preserve or create vegetated areas
Divert flows from impervious surfaces away from drains and into vegetation
Uses vegetation to reduce pollutants

16. LID – Plan Review

17. Next Steps in Stormwater (continued)
Trash Policy
By 2030, all permittees must capture all trash 5mm or greater from Industrial, Commercial and Residential (>10du/ac) properties either by:
Track 1 - installing of Full Capture Trash Systems or
Track 2 - combination of activities

20. Next Steps in Stormwater (continued)
Monitoring and Program Management
Priority Water Quality Constituents
water quality outcome based reporting
Regional Monitoring
Constituents of Emerging Concern

21. www.saccounty.net (search: stormwater) or www.beriverfriendly.net
Don’t dump here…
It ends up here…
(search: stormwater) or