Storm Water Management Plan

Strongsville’s Cub Scout Pack 223 is taking an active role in helping our environment by distributing flyers suggesting tips for soil/water conservation and pollution prevention. We are happy that Strongsville’s community groups care about our community and want to preserve our environment for generations to come! Click here to view the flyer! (PDF)

In an effort to preserve, protect, and improve the Nation’s water resources from polluted storm water runoff, and in compliance with the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Ohio Water Pollution Control Act, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) has developed the Storm Water Phase II Final Rule.

The Storm Water Phase II program requires operators of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) to implement storm water pollution control measures and practices to control storm water runoff.  Operators of small MS4s, including the City of Strongsville, are required to develop a storm water management program and apply for coverage by March 10, 2003.

This document outlines the City of Strongsville’s program to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent possible, and to comply with the appropriate regulations.

The City of Strongsville is about 25 square miles in area, located approximately 15 miles south of the City of Cleveland and is home to nearly 45,000 people.

The City of Strongsville owns and maintains over 190 miles of roadways, over 950,000 feet of storm sewers and 182 culverts. Roadway drainage is generally handled by open ditches or a closed system.  The city also owns and maintains two sanitary sewer treatment plants and 940,000 feet of sanitary sewers. There are also approximately 940 privately owned residential septic systems within the city limits.

Strongsville is located entirely within the Rocky River Watershed. About half of the city’s 25 square miles drain via many unnamed tributaries and several named tributaries, such as Baker Creek and Blodgett Creek, to the West Branch of the Rocky River.  The other half drains via unnamed tributaries to the East Branch of the Rocky River.

The City of Strongsville will submit annual reports to the Director of the OEPA starting one year after general permit coverage is granted.

The city engineer of the City of Strongsville was designated by the mayor and city council as the Storm Water Management Program Plan Development Manager. The duties of the SWMP Plan Development Manager included a thorough review of the general requirements of the Phase II program, monitoring the progress of other communities and outside agencies in the development of their SWMP’s, coordinating with the city’s service department, building department, law department, and city forester, using that data in determining the best course of action for Strongsville in preparation of its application and SWMP.

The goal in developing Strongsville’s SWMP is to be a usable resource designed to reduce the discharge of polluted storm water runoff into surface waters of the state, to the maximum extent practicable, and to protect water quality and aquatic habitat in the program coverage area.

Strongsville will be required to develop a storm water management program that implements the following six (6) minimum control measures:

1. Public education and outreach program
2. Public involvement and participation
3. Elimination of illicit discharges
4. Construction site storm water runoff
5. Post-construction storm water management plan
6. Pollution prevention/good housekeeping plan

This site will be updated regularly as the Stormwater Management Plan is developed. If you would like to become involved, please contact the City Engineer, Ken Milula ken.milula@strongsville.org.

Ten Simple Steps You Can Take
To Prevent Non Point Source Pollution
1) Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly
2) Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and roads
3) Never dump anything down storm drains.
4) Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.
5) Clean up spills of vehicle fluids or household chemicals and properly dispose of cleanup materials.
6) Minimize pesticide use and learn about Integrated Pest Management.
7) Direct roof drains away from paved surfaces and bare soil.
8) Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway
9) Check your car for leaks and recycle motor oil.
10) Pick up after your pet..


Links

US EPA
Ohio EPA
Cuyahoga County Board of Health