The Basics

What is stormwater?
Stormwater is the rainfall that flows over our yards, streets, parking lots, and buildings and either enters the stormdrain system or runs directly into a lake or stream.

What is a stormdrain?
Stormdrains are the openings you see along curbs and in streets and parking lots. They carry away rainwater and transport it through the drainage system to nearby ponds, lakes and streams, and ultimately to Tampa Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. Water and other debris that enter stormdrains do not go to a treatment facility.

What is a sanitary sewer?
A sanitary sewer takes household water and waste from toilets, sinks and showers, and transports it to a wastewater treatment facility. There, the water is treated and can be reused for reclaimed water.

How does stormwater get polluted?
As stormwater flows over our lawns, driveways and parking lots, it picks up fertilizers, oil, chemicals, grass clippings, litter, pet waste, and anything else in its path. The stormsewer system then transports these pollutants, now in the water, to local lakes and streams, and eventually Tampa Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. Anything that goes into a stormdrain eventually ends up in our waters.

The Laws

Pinellas County Code:
states that no pollutants can be allowed to enter the surface waters, the drainage system, or even be disposed of in the right-of-way as roads also lead to stormdrains.

Examples of Pollutants:
are yard debris, oil or other automotive fluids, sediment, gravel or masonry materials from construction sites, paint or any other chemical.  The rule of thumb is, if it isn’t clean water, it shouldn’t make it to the stormdrain, street, or into any water body.

Exceptions to the rule:
discharges from potable water sources, firefighting waters, non-chlorinated pool discharges (though we recommend using the water to water your lawn; it saves money and water).

Illicit connections:
no connection can be made to the stormsewer system to drain pools, plumbing, septic tanks, washing machines, etc.  If you think you might have a potential illicit connection on your property, please contact the Water Resources Management Section at 727-464-4425.  We will help you determine if the connection is legal.

Any illicit discharge or connection is punishable by fines of up to $10,000 per day.
Fines range in amount based on the severity of the violation.

BUSINESSES

How can I help?
All businesses should be mindful of their activities which could cause stormwater pollution.  Use appropriate sinks or drains to dispose of mop waters, etc.  Chemicals should be stored indoors or under an overhang to be protected from rain waters.  For more information, please contact us at 727-464-4425.

How does this affect my business?
Certain categories of businesses are required to apply for a stormwater permit with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection.  The list of affected businesses can be found here http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/industrial2.htm

How to apply for a state stormwater permit?
Please refer to the state’s website for information http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/industrial1.htm

CONSTRUCTION

All construction sites must be properly contained to avoid runoff. 
This means that appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs) should be used to protect the perimeter of the site, and any drainage or water body that could potentially be impacted.  Here are some examples:

• Silt fencing (reinforced with chicken wire if needed), floating turbidity barriers
• Rock bags, filter fabric, filter socks for drains and inlets
• Hydroseed, sod to stabilize exposed areas
• Dewatering bags, flocking materials
• Gravel entrances to keep from tracking dirt out onto the roads

State Construction permits must be obtained for all sites above 1 acre. 
See the link to the state website below.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes/construction1.htm

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Brochures (coming soon)

Links (coming soon)

Please refer any questions to the Water Resources Management Section at 727-464-4425.