Storm Water

Fruit Heights City Storm Water Management Plan

Storm Water is, in essence, just as it sounds: water from storm events.  Any precipitation that falls from the sky, including rain, hail, and snow, is considered storm water.

Storm water runs off of hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt and other hard impervious areas and does not have the ability to soak into the ground. As a result water flows off these impervious surfaces and collects in gutters or basins which run directly into the City’s storm drains. These drains carry the water as well as sediment, garbage, & toxic chemicals suspended in the storm water directly to our lakes and streams.  Most storm water drainage systems do not provide treatment, so preventing contamination of storm water is crucial to ensure that pollutants do not enter waterways. Improperly managed storm water runoff is also a leading cause of flooding which can cause property damage, road safety hazards, clog catch basins, and culverts with sediment and debris.  Here are some important reminders to ensure that our water is protected:

  • Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly. Excess can get washed out to the gutter and into the storm drain system.
  • Make sure that grass clippings and leaves are properly disposed of. These easily clog storm drain systems and prevent them from functioning properly.
  • Landscape materials that are delivered to your home should never be placed in the street or on the sidewalk. Have dirt, gravel, mulch, etc. delivered on your property and make sure that you sweep the excess and dispose of it properly.
  • Never allow liquids such as motor oil, gasoline, paint, or other harmful items to be washed down the storm drain system. Always use proper disposal practices.

What is Fruit Heights City Storm Water Management Plan? 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Storm Water Phase II Rule on December 8, 1999. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality acts as the administrator of the program for the EPA in the State of Utah. To comply with the requirements of the Phase II Rule, municipalities (Fruit Heights City) must obtain an “Authorization to Discharge Municipal Storm Water Under the Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (UPDES). Fruit Heights City's permit number is # UTR090008

The Storm Water Phase II Rule requires municipalities in urbanized areas to develop and implement a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP). The SWMP is the most substantial part of the UPDES Permit.
 
Fruit Heights City has a MS4 General UPDES Permit, UTR090000, in conjunction with the State of Utah Department of Environmental Quality. This authorizes the city to discharge storm water to “waters of the State”. Pursuant to UPDES Permit 4.0, Fruit Heights City has developed a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) to convey storm water discharges compliantly. This SWMP guides Fruit Heights City in administration of the following:  

 MCM 1 - Public Education and Outreach on Storm water Impacts
 MCM 2 - Public Involvement / Participation
 MCM 3 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) 
 MCM 4 - Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
 MCM 5 - Long-Term Storm water Management
 MCM 6 - Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Additionally, Fruit Heights City has developed Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address the requirements of each of these six minimum control measures. Through these BMP’s and SOP’s Fruit Heights City can conduct a review of the effectiveness of the City’s SWMP and submit corresponding annual reports to the State. Fruit Heights City is required to review and update its SWMP every five years.

Finally, Fruit Heights City is responsible for all construction activities within the city, including any city construction projects. Anytime there is a disturbance of soil, a Storm Water Construction Activity Permit (SWCAP) is required to be issued. Examples of this would be: 

  • Subdivision Development
  • Installation of Underground Utilities 
  • Construction of a New Home 
  • Adding onto an Existing Home
  • Building a New Garage, or Shop
  • Installation of a Swimming Pool
  • New Landscaping or Re-landscaping
  • Any other excavation work that would disturb the soil 

Your input on this SWMP is valuable and considered; diverse opinions can help build a more efficient SWMP. Please review this document and email any comments to tparry@fruitheightscity.com.

 Fruit Heights City would like to know what residents know about the City's Storm water system. We invite you to take this short online survey. 

Emergency Spills and Illegal Dumping

What is a Spill?  A spill is the accidental spill of any liquid other than culinary or secondary water, or any solid material that could be washed to gutters, storm drains, ditches, streams, creeks, canals, detention ponds, secondary water ponds or rivers.

What is Illegal Dumping?  Illegal dumping is the intentional dumping of any fluid other than culinary or secondary water, or any solid material into gutters, storm drains, ditches, streams, creeks, canals, detention ponds, secondary water ponds or rivers.

STORM WATER EMERGENCY HOTLINE. Please report spills and illegal dumping by dialing 801-927-7039.

Links

Department of Water Quality (DEQ) / Storm Water

Download the General MS4 Permit - # UTR090000

Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP)

Storm Water Construction Activity Permit (SWCAP) 

For additional information visit Davis County Storm water Coalition