Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping is the assessment and subsequent alteration of municipal operations to reduce the amount of pollution entering the storm drain system and, eventually, receiving waters. This permit requirement is necessary because:
- Municipalities are responsible for a wide variety of land uses and activities such as roadways, parking lots, transportation and equipment garages, fueling areas, stockpiles of salt and other raw materials, waste handling and disposal, and parks maintenance, that can be sources of stormwater pollutants.
- If practices are not in place to contain spills, manage trash, or handle non-stormwater discharges, municipal facilities can be sources of stormwater pollutants.
- Municipalities are responsible for inspecting and maintaining their storm drain systems.
The City of Ann Arbor employs the following pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices.
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Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is a written document that identifies potential sources of contamination from municipal facilities and describes controls in place to reduce their impacts on aquatic resources. City staff have developed SWPPPs for the Wheeler Service Center, the compost facility, and other required properties.
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Inspection and maintenance of structural stormwater controls
The city has a regular inspection an maintenance program for structural stormwater controls such as hydrodynamic separation units (swirl concentrators), catch basins, and oil/water separators. |
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Storm sewer cleaning
When it rains, water from streets, sidewalks, and other surfaces flows into catch basins, or storm drains located along streets. Storm sewer cleaning removes build-up of sediment and debris that can block water flow. Approximately 20% of the storm sewer is inspected and cleaned each year.
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Detention pond inspections
Public and private detention ponds were inventoried and inspected in 2005-2007. The inspections showed the majority of these ponds, which are designed to capture stormwater during rain events, were in good condition.
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Fall leaf collection
The annual leaf collection program is necessary to keep leaves from trees growing in the city right-of-way from entering the storm drain. Leaves from residents' yards are also collected in this effort.
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Street sweeping
Street sweeping is an effective method for removing large and small debris and pollutants that collect on city streets. From April-October, street sweeping occurs weekly in downtown Ann Arbor. The remaining streets are swept twice per year, in spring and fall. The fall sweeping immediately follows the leaf collection in an effort to remove any debris left behind.
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Phosphorus-free fertilizer
The City has an ordinance that prohibits the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus. The City dos not use fertilizer containing phosphorus on any city-owned property (parks, golf courses, etc.). |
In addition to the practices listed above, the city also conducts employee training on general stormwater management, spill prevention and response, proper disposal of hazardous materials, and illicit discharge elimination. This training builds awareness among employees about stormwater and water quality issues and teaches them to respond to problems in a safe and appropriate manner.
Updated January 19, 2010