Thursday, March 27, 2014 | Issue No. 1

Watershed Quarterly:

Introduction to Tulsa's Stormwater Quality Program

An educated public is the key to stopping pollution in Tulsa watersheds. The City of Tulsa Stormwater Quality group is launching this newsletter in an effort to reach more Tulsa residents who should understand how they impact Tulsa streams, creeks and channels.

Pollution in the nation's waterways has been reduced since the 1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) was strengthened to allow the federal government the authority to permit and regulate sources of pollution into U.S. waters. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the City of Tulsa are all involved in regulating and overseeing the implementation of the Clean Water Act provisions.

Tulsa received its first Stormwater Quality Permit in 1990, which means the City is responsible for:

* Public Education

* Monitoring

* Industrial Inspections

* Construction Inspections

* Illicit Discharge Investigations

In short, the Tulsa Stormwater Quality group works to ensure stormwater runoff does not carry pollution to local streams and lakes. Pollutants have the potential to degrade waterways to the point where they are no longer "fishable and swimmable," as required in the Clean Water Act.

Saving Our Streams: Tulsa Crews Inspect, Monitor Industries for Stream Pollution

Unlike sanitary sewage, stormwater is not treated before it is discharged into the storm sewer system. So a primary goal for industries is to keep potential pollutants off of the ground. Industrial processes and waste can pollute our streams if left unchecked. City crews categorize, inspect, and require monitoring of many industries to ensure that sources of pollution are handled properly. Industrial pollution of streams can occur when rain washes contaminants from a business or industry into the nearest waterway.

In most cases, industries should be disposing of industrial materials in the sanitary sewer, in solid waste receptacles or with a hazardous waste hauler. However, if a business must store materials outside, the City of Tulsa requires specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) be followed. If you see a hazardous spill or leak from an industry, please contact the Customer Care Center at (918) 596-2100. Your call will be forwarded to the Fire Department and Stormwater Quality to investigate.

Businesses and industries can find BMPs
on Industrial Pollution Prevention at: www.cityoftulsa.org/sos

Construction Can Muck Up Stormwater Systems, Impact

Aquatic Life

Stormwater runoff from construction can cause major problems in Tulsa's storm sewer system as well as its streams. The City of Tulsa is required to protect the water quality in these waterways. One way of doing this is by enforcing Best Management Practices, known as BMPs, on construction sites.

Sediment is a major contributor to water pollution if not controlled on the construction site appropriately.

Sediment is silt, sand, dirt and clays that have washed away from cleared lands after a rain storm. These sediment particles are washed into the storm sewer system and then to local streams. The sediment can fill up streams, causing problems for aquatic life, as well restrict drainage leading to hazardous flooding during heavy rains. Other potential pollutants from construction sites are trash, paint, glues/epoxies and concrete slurry. You can find the full guide to construction BMPs online.

News and Events


Design to Improve Stormwater Runoff Rewarded The City of Tulsa has been involved in the planning of a low impact development (LID) design competition. Teams of engineers, architects, and landscape architects come together to design a development with special attention focused on using LID to improve stormwater runoff. To learn more about the April 3rd competition awards show, visit: www.lidcompetition.okstate.edu	Team Up to Clean a Creek The City of Tulsa is partnering with various groups to host its 20th annual creek cleanup. This is a family friendly activity being held Saturday, May 31 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Tulsa Zoo in the Helmerich Discovery Center. Volunteers can win free zoo passes and other prizes for attending. For more details, contact: jmonnot@cityoftulsa.org	Drop Off Household Pollutants April 5-6 The City of Tulsa's spring household pollutant collection event will be April 5 and 6 at the 15th Street entrance to the fairgrounds. The event is free and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days and accepts most household chemicals with the exception of latex paint, electronic devices, and large items such as refrigerators. Latex paint is not a hazardous material and can be reused. For more information about the event and options for your partially used latex paint, visit: www.metrecycle.com

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