A Plan to Protect Our Natural Resources
In August 2007, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
required operators of certain small municipal storm sewer systems to obtain
a permit
for their storm water discharges into rivers, lakes, and streams. These new
requirements
affect most small, publicly-owned storm sewer systems located within an
urbanized
area (defined by the U.S. Census as an area of higher population density
near a city) and are designed for the protection of our natural resources.
Pecan
Grove Municipal Utility District (PGMUD), which is located in the Houston
Urbanized
Area and operates a storm sewer system, does fall under this definition and
is
therefore required to comply with the TCEQ's permitting regulations.
To simplify compliance for small municipalities such as
PGMUD, the state
issued, via the TCEQ, a general permit for Storm Water Discharges from Small
Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer Systems (called MS4s). The Board, with support from
PGMUD's engineer, Jones & Carter, Inc., drafted a plan and submitted the
required
documents to seek coverage under the TCEQ's general permit. Conditions of
the
general permit require that PGMUD develop a Storm Water Management Program
(SWMP) that includes Best Management Practices (BMPs) to address six Minimum
Control Measures (MCMs). These MCM's are:
-
Public Education and Outreach
-
Public Involvement and Participation
-
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
-
Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
-
Post-Construction Storm Water Management for New
Development
and Redevelopment, and
-
Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping for Municipal
Operations
The SWMP adopted by PGMUD (which will be gradually
implemented over the next five years) meets the requirements of the general
permit but is flexible enough for the District to choose the most effective
and cost-efficient methods for the prevention of storm water pollution. To
track compliance, PGMUD is also required to submit an annual report to the
TCEQ detailing what has been implemented and how that compares to the
previously adopted SWMP.
Residents of Pecan Grove community will have an opportunity
to participate in the implementation of the Storm Water Management Plan.
Activities include, but are not limited to: neighbor-hood collection and
recycling of household wastes (especially plastics, glass, and metals) and
the proper disposal of hazardous waste, such as motor oil, paint cans, and
fuel (items often thrown away or poured down storm drains).
PGMUD also encourages residents to share their own ideas for keeping our
waterways
pollutant-free.
Look for updates on the progression of these programs in
future newsletters, bill inserts, and here on our site. To see the complete
plan, click the “Stormwater Management Plan” link below.
