Stormwater Management Program

 

Program History

 

The City of Manor received its first Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit in 2015 from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). We are currently in our 3rd permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES; in Texas it is TPDES). 

 

Stormwater Management Program Permit January 2019 - January 2024 

 

About Our Program

 

The City of Manor has developed a program to meet state and federal requirements related to stormwater. The objective of the Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) is to reduce pollution that travels into our waterways.

 

What The City Does

 

Several departments within the City are instrumental in implementing this plan. The City of Manor staff: 

 

 

What Is Stormwater

 

Rainwater, snow, sleet, or hail that runs off streets, houses, lawns, and other sites. Since it is not able to be absorbed into the ground, it goes into storm drains and drainage ditches. Once the stormwater goes into the drains and ditches it travels through the stormwater pipes until it reaches a body of water such as a stream, lake, creek or river.

 

Why Protecting Stormwater Is Important

 

Stormwater is untreated and goes directly into our lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, or oceans. Wildlife use the bodies of water to live in and for food and water. Wildlife can become sick from pollution that travels with the stormwater.

 

Types Of Pollution Can Travel With The Stormwater 

 

  • Oil, grease, metals and coolants from vehicles
  • Fertilizers and pesticides from gardens and homes
  • Yard debris (grass clippings, leaves, etc.)
  • Pet wastes
  • Trash: such as drink cans, food wrappers, etc. 
  • Soil from construction sites and other bare ground 
  • Soaps from car or equipment washing

 

How This Pollution Affects The Environment

 

Oil, grease, coolants, soaps, and pesticides are toxic not only to wildlife but also to our drinking water supply. Pet waste has large amounts of bacteria that can make the water unsafe for recreational activities such as fishing or swimming. 

 

Public Education

 

Homeowners: 

When working around the house or on home improvement projects, it’s important to follow these environmental good housekeeping practices to keep your neighborhood and our waterways clean and healthy:

 

  1. Keep the area in front of your home clean - picking up and disposing of trash and debris in the gutter

  2. When cleaning your sidewalks or driveway, use a broom. Use a pressure washer only when necessary.

  3. Consider using less toxic water-based paints.

  4. Always wash out paint brushes in a sink. Oil-based paint brushes should be cleaned with paint thinner.

  5. Use dry methods for spill cleanup (e.g. sweeping, cat litter). Do not hose down spills.

  6. Store household cleaners and chemicals like bleach, paint, paint thinner, pesticides and fertilizers in tight, water-proof containers for re-use.

  7. Safely dispose of unwanted cleaners, paint and chemicals.

  8. If you are washing your car, wash it in a grass area to allow the detergents and washed off material to be filtered through the vegetation

 

Pressure Washing Best Management Practices:

 

  1. Minimize the amount of water used during pressure washing activities, thus reducing the volume of wastewater that needs to be properly disposed. 

  2. Avoid using cleaning products that contain hazardous substances (e.g. hydrofluoric acid, muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, bleach, etc.) and can turn wastewater into a hazardous waste. 

  3. Acidic, caustic, and detergent cleaners may damage paved or coated surfaces.

  4. Once most of the wastewater has been collected and properly disposed, minimal residual amounts of wastewater that can not be collected and that will not reach storm drains may be left on paved surfaces and allowed to evaporate.

  5. It may be necessary to sweep, or rinse and collect the wastewater from the area, to avoid leaving behind visible residue that will be washed into the storm drain at a later time.

  6. Wastewater with high pollutant concentrations, including wastewater that contains cleaning compounds, must be completely collected and may be left to evaporate.

 

Commercial and Industrial Measures:

 

Commercial and industrial sites can also perform actions outdoors that can affect the quality of stormwater that runs off of their facilities. Informational brochures on common stormwater pollution prevention measures for certain types of facilities include: 

 

Auto Repair Facilities 

Car Washes 

Restaurants

The City of Manor is a diverse, sustainable community and regional leader with exceptional services, a high quality of life, and a safe environment for citizens and businesses to thrive. 

Copyright © Manor, Texas  2016

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