Elected officials, city staff and residents are working together to improve stormwater management to meet strong community goals. The program includes a variety of activities:
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Drainage system maintenance and capital improvement projects
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Compliance with State and Federal stormwater regulations and
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Development review and oversight
Drainage system maintenance and capital improvement projects
Stormwater Management Systems encompass any of the devices used to collect, treat or dispose of storm, flood or surface drainage waters. These can include: detention ponds, pipes, streams, culverts, wetlands, ditches, catch basins, etc. When it rains, these devices can become clogged, lessening their ability to carry stormwater. This stormwater can overflow into streets.
In some areas, the problem is severe enough that yards and structures become flooded. Much of the City’s drainage system is more than 25 years old and is reaching the end of its life expectancy. The City has more than 4,000 stormwater structures within the right-of-way. Many of these are older structures that are in need of both routine and remedial maintenance.
Compliance with State and Federal stormwater regulations
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program requires that the City have a comprehensive stormwater management program (SWMP) designed to control stormwater pollution. This program includes such measures as structural and non-structural stormwater controls, best management practices (BMPs), regular inspections, enforcement activities, stormwater monitoring and public education efforts. Stormwater management ordinances, erosion and sedimentation control ordinances, development regulations and other local regulations provide the legal authority necessary to implement the stormwater management programs.
The City’s program includes specific activities for the following six elements, termed “minimum control measures:”
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Public Education and Outreach
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Public Participation/Involvement
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Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
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Construction Site Runoff Control
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Post-Construction Runoff Control
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Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
The City’s SWMP identifies each management practice and measurable goals for each minimum control measure.
Development review and oversight
The Community Development Department oversees plans review, permitting and enforcement of City building, development and environmental codes and ordinances. The division ensures compliance with local and state laws through a comprehensive inspections program based on the technical expertise of staff, combined with active community involvement.