Stormwater Management (MS4)

As an MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) community, the Town of Lowell is required to educate the community on the pollution potential of common activities and increase awareness of the direct links between land activities, rainfall run-off, storm drains and our local water resources.

 

The Town of Lowell’s Stormwater Operator is Thomas Trulley.   He can be reached via
Email at coff@lowell.net or by phone at 219-696-7794 ext. 24.
 
The Stormwater Management Division of the Public Works Department, with the help of The Street Department and the Water and Sewer Distribution Department, is responsible for the overall management of the stormwater collection system.
 
The Street Department sweeps streets; collects woody material and leaves for composting and other associated work.
 
The Water and Sewer Distribution Department installs, cleans and repair storm sewers; videos and assesses the storm sewers.
 
The Stormwater Management Division reviews stormwater plans, inspects the installation of public and private stormwater construction projects, coordinates with the Street and Water and Sewer Distribution Department on stormwater activities, and manages stormwater regulatory compliance.
 
In November of 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) began a
program that required states to develop regulatory programs to address pollution issues associated with stormwater.   In August of 2003, 327 IAC 15-13 (Rule 13) became effective and established requirements for designated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) entities to develop local Stormwater Quality Management Plans (SWQMP).   The SWQMP developed by and MS4 is required to address six minimum control measures that include public education and outreach, public involvement, illicit discharge, construction runoff, post-construction runoff and pollution prevention and good housekeeping.   The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is the state agency responsible for administering Rule 13.   See IDEM’s Fact Sheet for more details of the rule.
 
Lowell has partnered with the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission
(NIRPC) to provide public education, outreach and involvement activities.   Visit NIRPC’s website to view details of these activities.
 
Lowell developed and passed Ordinance 53.115 entitled “ Illegal Discharges “ to protect and enhance the water quality of watercourses and water bodies in a manner consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act.   An illegal (illicit) discharge is any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge into the stormwater collection system.   To report an illegal (illicit) discharge contact Thomas (Tom) Trulley or the authorities.
 
Ordinance Chapter 53 entitled “ Stormwater Management”and Lowell’s Best Management Practices (BMP) were developed to aid designers and developers in meeting the minimum standards for stormwater management.   Construction runoff, post-construction runoff and pollution prevention are addressed within these guides.
The Good Housekeeping control measure addresses stromwater discharges associated with municipal operations.   This measure requires Lowell to evaluate and alter, if necessary, operations internally to ensure a reduction in the pollutants that are generated from municipal operations.   Street sweeping, debris pickup, storm drain cleaning, recycling, spill prevention, stormwater pollution prevention plans, etc., are some of the measures Lowell utilizes to comply.
 
The Stormwater Management Division is working on future links to help you understand and keep you connected with what our department is working on.
 

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The following are some of the most important ways to prevent storm water pollution.

  • Properly dispose of hazardous materials such as used oil, paint, and other chemicals. DO NOT POUR them on the ground or into any part of the storm water conveyance system. Report any misconduct to the offices named below.

  • Place trash in proper containers and prevent it from entering the storm water system and plugging the drains.

  • Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly. Don’t over water your lawn. Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

  • Properly maintain your vehicles to reduce oil and gasoline dripping. Wash your car on the lawn so that the water infiltrates the ground.

  • Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drains.

  • Properly dispose of hazardous materials such as paint and household chemicals during the publicized collection days in Lake County.

  • Recycle used oil through existing drop-off centers.

  • Report mud, debris or other material in runoff from construction sites.

 

MAKE REPORTS OF ANY OBSERVED POLLUTION PROBLEM TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Lowell Public Works Director, Tom Trulley– 696-7794 Ext.23

  • Lowell Police Department – non emergency – 696-0411

 

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT