Woodbury Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP)

Lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands are among the most important natural resources for Minnesotans and we all have an interest in ensuring their quality for future generations. But when rain falls on impervious surfaces such as paved streets, parking lots and rooftops, it can collect materials that pollute our water resources. Polluted runoff containing pesticides, sediment, nutrients, oil, chemicals, and litter is often transported through municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to our lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands without treatment. Research has shown that this runoff is a leading source of water pollution. The City of Woodbury and municipalities across the United States are now addressing this water quality issue.

A 1987 amendment to the federal Clean Water Act required implementation of a two-phase national program to address storm water runoff and its associated pollutants. Phase I of the program focused on construction sites larger than five acres, specific categories of industrial activity and major metropolitan cities (referred to as MS4s). In Minnesota, the cities affected by Phase I of the storm water program were Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Phase II expanded the permit requirements to include construction sites greater than one acre and smaller municipalities (cities with a population less than 100,000 in an "urbanized area" as defined by the Census Bureau). As a result, the City of Woodbury, along with many other communities in Minnesota, was required to obtain a Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in March 2003. The permit addresses how the city will improve water quality by reducing or eliminating pollutants from storm water runoff before it reaches the city's surface waters.

The MPCA reissued the NPDES Phase II permit in March 2006, requiring municipalities to submit a revised application and SWPPP by June 1, 2006. The revised materials, although in draft form and not formally approved by the MPCA, are the documents the city is currently following to be in compliance with the new permit. You are encouraged to review Woodbury's application documents including the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program, ask questions and provide comments. During 2007, the MPCA will issue a public notice of request for comments for the City of Woodbury's NPDES permit application and SWPPP. Residents statewide will be encouraged to submit comments directly to the MPCA at that time.

The city's 2004 and 2005 annual reports are also available upon request. To contact city staff about the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program e-mail stormwater@ci.woodbury.mn.us or call the storm water hotline at (651) 714-3511.

You also can learn more about the storm water program by reading the Storm Water Program Special Edition of the October 2004 Woodbury City Update, the September 2005 Storm Water Report, the November 2006 Storm Water Report, October 2007 Storm Water Report, and the November 2008 Storm Water Report.

The 2005 community survey included two questions (No. 82 and 112) related to water quality and environmental education in the city. The survey results are an important indicator of citizen knowledge and interest in the city's water resources. Questions related to water quality will also be included in the 2007 survey.

For more information, you also may visit the storm water and water resources in Woodbury page.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Surface Water Management
• Storm Water Utility
• Soil Erosion Prevention
• Wetlands
• Lawn Fertilization Guidelines
• Lake Monitoring Program
• Storm Drain Marking
• Drinking Water Quality Report
• Woodbury Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP)
• Storm Water Public Service Announcement (Windows Media Player required)