Stormwater Management

USG facilitates compliance with federal and state environmental regulations and overall protection of environmental resources. Staff work closely with other University System of Maryland Institutions, namely College Park, in managing environmental risk by developing policies, procedures, and education and training programs for the USG community. In addition, USG holds a NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Phase II General Permit, which covers the discharge of all stormwater runoff that enters the University storm drain system, including discharges from building rooftops, roads, pavement, parking lots and construction runoff, from the campus or other area construction. These permits require the university to meet certain discharge limitations and employ Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize pollutants discharged into the stormwater. Additional Stormwater Management information can be found on the Maryland Department of the Environment Website.

Stormwater and Discharge Permits

MS4 Annual Reports 

Public Participation 

  • Earth Day Cleanup 2021

 

Illicit Discharges (IDDE)

Illicit discharges into the USG storm water management system are regulated by federal and state authorities. The campus maintains an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Plan (IDDE) to identify illicit discharges and respond to them as soon as possible and ultimately eliminate non-stormwater discharges from impacting storm water sewer systems to the maximum extent practicable. The campus community can help in this effort by remaining aware and reporting suspect illicit discharges when they are observed. 

Spill Prevention Controls and Countermeasures (SPCC)

A Spill Prevention Controls and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) is required by federal and state agencies to protect surfaces, soils, and the storm water discharge system from oil product contamination. The USG campus is monitored for spills from storage tanks containing oil or petroleum-based products. An SPCC plan includes information on reporting, recordkeeping, spill prevention, and spill cleanup. 

Stormwater Pollution Prevention (SWPPP)

USG maintains a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for campus grounds and activities in compliance with federal and state regulations. Potential sources of storm water contamination can include accidental spills and leaks, compromised storage tanks, loading and unloading materials, and storage of liquid materials where holding containers develop leaks. Management of these potential sources requires development of preventative maintenance plans, good housekeeping plans, spill prevention and response plans, management od storm water runoff, recordkeeping and reporting procedures, loading and unloading areas, and hazardous material storage areas. The campus community can help in this effort by remaining aware and reporting concerns when they are observed.

 

Educational Resources

MS4 Phase II Permit Fact Sheet State and Federal 
Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fact Sheet Under MS4 Phase II Permit 
What is an Illicit Discharge and What is Required 
Maryland’s Stormwater Management Act
Maryland Water Quality Maps
Maryland Department of the Environment – Water Quality
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Water Topics
Chesapeake Stormwater Network
WikiWatershed
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments – Water Resources
Potomac Conservancy