ABOUT URBAN STORMWATER RUNOFF

Urban stormwater runoff is a serious concern, in both dry and rainy seasons. It can be contaminated with pesticides, fertilizer, animal droppings, trash, food wastes, automotive by-products and other toxic substances that are part of our urban environment. Waters that flow over streets, parking lots, construction sites and industrial facilities may carry these pollutants through our storm drain system directly to the lakes and streams of Colorado.

The impacts of pollutants can translate into loss of recreational resources, significant costs to clean up contaminated sediments, and impaired function and vitality of our natural resources.
The Clean Water Act of 1987 established requirements for storm water discharges under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). In response to those requirements, the State of Colorado issued a permit for municipal storm sewer discharge to the City Of Lakewood in 1996. In 2003, the permit was reissued to streamline already implemented stormwater programs and address the functionality needed to comply with permit requirements. Click here to review the City's permit requirements.