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Stormwater

MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System)
 
The City Cleanup Day was a success!
Click the link below to learn more about our efforts to keep our City & Storm Drains Clean!

Beautify Bunnell Event!

About our Stormwater Program

Public Education and Community Outreach play a fundamental role in achieving our goals with the Stormwater Program...Preventing Pollution! Providing educational material on Stormwater to our residents and businesses allows for a better understanding of the importance of protecting and improving our environmental resources. The City of Bunnell encourages stewardship in preserving these resources for present and future generations.

During wet weather events, stormwater flows through a conveyance system directly to our local waterbodies, untreated. This is why preventing pollution at the source is crucial. When pollutants are continuously washed into the storm drain system and carried to local waterbodies, they become polluted. These bodies of water are home to local marine life and wildlife as well as used by humans for recreational activities. The number one source of pollution in our urban waters today comes from commercial and household items that are washed into the storm drains.

Check out the Image below to see how Stormwater can pick up pollutants along the way to our local water bodies!

Stormwater Graphic

Remember the phrase: Only Rain Down The Storm Drain!

Rain Drop Frequently Asked Stormwater Questions

Rain Drop Recognize & Report Illicit Discharge

Rain Drop Additional Resources

The 1999 Phase II regulation requires small MS4s in U.S. Census Bureau defined urbanized areas, as well as MS4s designated by the permitting authority, to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage for their stormwater discharges. Phase II also includes non-traditional MS4s such as public universities, departments of transportation, hospitals, and prisons.

To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into MS4s, certain operators are required to obtain NPDES permits and develop stormwater management programs (SWMPs). The SWMP describes the stormwater control practices that will be implemented consistent with permit requirements to minimize the discharge of pollutants from the sewer system.

What is Illicit Discharge

man dumping liquid down a storm drainDefined as "any discharge into a municipal storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater".

Examples:

  •  Fertilizers
  •  Yard Waste
  •  Paint
  •  Gasoline / Motor Oil
  •  Pesticides / Weed Killers
  •  Detergents & Soaps
  •  Cooking Grease

Keep an eye out for inappropriate ("illicit") amounts of discharge from stormwater pipes, especially during dry weather. This could be a sign that there is a problem and should be reported to your local municipality.

How You Can Help

  • Use pesticides, herbicides & fertilizers SPARINGLY and away from storm drains & ditches
  • DO NOT pour household cleaners, oil, or paints on driveways or into storm drains
  • DO NOT blow leaves or dump lawn/yard trimmings into storm drains
  • PICK UP litter
  • DO NOT store or expose materials to rain that could “wash off” into storm drains or streets
  • NEVER pour oil or antifreeze down or near a storm drain, or onto street
  • Properly dispose of hazardous materials at 1700 S. Old Kings Rd, Flagler Beach. Details on free drop off can be found on the Flagler County website: Hazardous Waste Collection Facility

Report Illicit Discharges

Within the City Limits, report the following:

  • Witnessing someone drop litter
  • Oil sheen in a body of water
  • Leaves or grass clippings deposited in or near storm drains
  • Sewage odor from a storm drain, inlet, or body of water
  • Spills or dumping of oil, paint, household cleaners, antifreeze, pesticides, or fertilizers
  • Discharge of chlorinated swimming pool water to a storm drain
  • Sediment tracking from construction sites into streets
  • Illegal dumping (at sites where regular garbage and trash is not picked up)
  • Witnessing anything being disposed of into a storm drain

If illegal dumping or pollutants within waterways, culverts or storm drains is observed, we encourage residents to contact the City’s Infrastructure Department at (386) 437-7515 or email us at stormwater@bunnellcity.us.  All Stormwater related complaints should be reported to this phone number or email address.