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Managing stormwater runoff is a large and sometime complicated task. Inadequate stormwater management can result in flooding, infrastructure and property damage, erosion, poor water quality, and increased financial burdens upon the City of Evans to repair or restore damaged items.
Hotline - (970) 339-5344 Ext. 281
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Report any illicit discharges into the stormwater drainage system or any other activities which may affect stormwater quality. Remember "Keep it Clean, Because We're All Downstream".
Stormwater Management Program
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Storm drainage systems include items such as pipes, street/curb inlets, ponds, and even natural channels. Municipal stormwater drainage systems are sometimes referred to as Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4's). These systems are monitored by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which is controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA set up the NPDES as part of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA). The City of Evans falls under what is referred to as the Stormwater Phase II portion of this legislation. The Stormwater Phase II program requires the City of Evans to establish and maintain six minimum control measures for our MS4. These measures help keep the City in compliance with all the regulations of the before mentioned programs. The six minimum control measures are:
MCM #1 - Public Education and Outreach
MCM #2 - Public Involvement/Participation
MCM #3 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
MCM #4 - Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
MCM #5 - Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment
MCM #6 - Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
The major outfall for the City of Evans is the South Platte River. There are other municipalities and individuals downstream from the City of Evans that depend on the South Platte River for their public drinking water and irrigation. In order to help increase the quality of the stormwater that the City of Evans releases into the South Platte River, we need help from the citizens. Property owners should make a conscious effort to store and dispose of waste such as motor oil, anti-freeze, and other hazardous materials properly. We can also help by reducing our dependency on lawn fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Another major contributor to stormwater pollution is sediment. Most sediment comes from erosion of un-vegetated land such as that found on construction sites.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
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The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES). The goals of the NPDES are to improve the environment by improving the water quality of municipal stormwater systems which ultimately discharge into national waters. The City of Evans is responsible for developing and enforcing six minimum control measures to meet the requirements of the NPDES Stormwater Phase II program. These six measures include: public education and outreach, public involvement/participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site stormwater runoff control, post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.
What is Phase II?
Phase II is the next step in EPA's effort to preserve, protect and enhance the Nation's water resources from polluted storm water runoff. It is a federally mandated program that affects those municipalities with populations less than 100,000. On March 10, 2003 these municipalities were required to apply for and obtain a general permit for the stormwater runoff from residential, commercial & industrial areas into streams, lakes and rivers. The City of Evans is required to be in compliance with this general permit.
Why is the Phase II Stormwater Program necessary?
It is a federally mandated program of the EPA administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division. Although the water quality of our Nation's waterways have improved over the years, water bodies are still impaired and do not meet water quality standards set forth by the EPA as outlined in the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Will I need to get a NPDES permit?
Residential property owners will not need to get a NPDES permit. Construction activity that disturbs an acre or greater must comply with the approved Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) for the construction site.
Standards
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All construction development, repair or adjustments affecting city infrastructure within the City of Evans must adhere to current standards. The Comprehensive Drainage Study (CDS) for the City of Evans, Volume II contains materials for guidance in design, review, and construction of public improvements to the stormwater drainage system in or under the public rights-of-way and easements.
The City of Evans Drainage Criteria Manual (CDS Volume II) can be downloaded here.
The City of Evans Master Drainage Plan (CDS Volume I) can be downloaded here.
These documents are available in adobe acrobat format (.pdf) and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. Click here to download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The City of Evans Comprehensive Drainage Study references the Urban Drainage Criteria Manual in several locations. The Urban Drainage Criteria Manual is published by the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District. Engineers will need to consult both manuals to prepare a complete drainage evaluation. The Urban Drainage Criteria Manual can be found on their website www.udfcd.org, for more information and for specialized design software.
Hardcopies of both volumes of the City of Evans Comprehensive Drainage Study can be obtained from the City of Evans for a printing charge of $50.00. Our offices are located at:
City of Evans Public Works Department
1100 37th Street
Evans, CO. 80620
(970) 339-5344
FAQs
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What is the difference between the drains outside my house and the drains inside my house?
The major difference between the drains associated with your household plumbing and the storm drains found in the street is treatment. Water that goes down the drains inside your house is transported through the sanitary sewer system to a treatment facility. At these facilities there are chemicals added and processes completed in order to clean the water prior to releasing it back into the South Platte River. When water enters the storm drainage system it is transported to the river without receiving any treatment, so any trash or pollution that enters this water is transported directly to the river.
What is the storm drain for?
Storm drains are for containing stormwater runoff and transporting it to its outfall. The majority of the City of Evans stormwater drainage system is underground. That way, stormwater can be conveyed to the South Platte River without causing flooding or erosion along the way. This also helps keep water off of the streets and intersections to improve traffic safety during storms.
Why should we be concerned with stormwater pollution?
Stormwater can carry trash and harmful pollutants, cause flooding, erode topsoil and stream banks, and destroy marine life habitats. In a rural area with natural ground cover, on average, only 10% of rainwater becomes runoff. The rest is absorbed or evaporates. In an urban area, up to 55% of rainfall can become storm water runoff. This is mainly due to there being a lot more impervious surfaces such as pavement, sidewalks, driveways, and rooftops. Remember, the water and other items that enter the stormwater drainage system do not get treated before being released into the South Platte River.
Why is there a stormwater fee on my utility bill?
The stormwater drainage system is a utility. It provides a service to all the residents and some non-residents of the City of Evans. In order to maintain the system and make necessary improvements, we have to add a small fee to your utility bill. This type fee is common in other communities throughout Colorado. The following table includes other Colorado Cities that have stormwater utilities and their single-family residential fees.
| Community |
Average Monthly Single Family Bill |
Year Initiated |
| Loveland | $10.00 | 1987 |
| Fort Collins | $14.25 | 1981 |
| Windsor | $3.50 | 1991 |
| Boulder | $3.00 | 1989 |
| Longmont | $5.03 | 1984 |
| Arvada | $3.61 | 2001 |
| Greeley | $3.75 | 2002 |
| Aurora | $3.83 | 1969 |
| Golden | $3.20 | 1997 |
| Evans | $3.85 | 1998 |
| Berthoud | $2.50 | 1989 |
| Denver | $4.42 | 1981 |
| Littleton | $3.00 | 1989 |
| Woodland Park | $2.00 | 1995 |
| Lakewood | $2.00 | 1999 |
| Westminster | $1.50 | 2001 |
Links
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City of Greeley Stormwater Homepage
Center for Watershed Protection
Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers
CDPHE Water Quality Control Division
Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water
The Stormwater Manager's Resource Center
Urban Drainage and Flood Control District
USGS Water
Water Environment Federation
Water Science for Schools
Downloadable Brochures and Other Items
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Does Your Construction Site Need a Stormwater Permit? (EPA Brochure)
Getting the Word Out& The Role of Local Governments in Implementing the NPDES Stormwater
Program for Construction Sites (EPA Brochure)
Stormwater and the Construction Industry (Poster)
Stormwater Pollution - The Difference is You! (Evans Brochure)
Stormwater Pollution - Help Protect the Environment (Evans Brochure)
After the Storm (EPA Brochure)
The Solution to Pollution (EPA Brochure)
Take the Stormwater Runoff Challenge (EPA Kids Puzzle)
Why are Words Being Painted on my Drain (Poster)
Why Should I Care About Stormwater Pollution (Poster)
Minimum Control Measures Fact Sheets (EPA):
Public Education and Outreach
Public Participation and Involvement
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Construction Site Runoff Control
Post-Construction Runoff Control
Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Other Fact Sheets (City of Greeley):
Fertilizer Facts
Floatable Facts
Household Hazardous Waste
Protecting Waterways
Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Those Pesky Pesticides
What About Herbicides?
FEMA Floodplain Maps
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To search for FEMA floodplain maps click here.
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© 2001-2010 City of Evans, Colorado – 1100 37th Street – Evans, CO 80620 - (970) 339-5344
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