Frequently Asked Questions

As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Industrial, municipal and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. The City of McPherson stormwater system discharges into Bull Creek, Turkey Creek and Mingenback Lake.

Polluted stormwater runoff from the City is transported through the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), from which it is discharged untreated into local waterbodies. This system includes gutters, inlets, pipes, ditches and culverts throughout the City. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, the City must obtain a NPDES permit and develop a stormwater management program (SWP).

In 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required all medium and large cities with populations greater than 100,000 to obtain NPDES permits. These were called Phase I permits. In 1999, the EPA required small MS4s with populations greater than 10,000 to obtain NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges. These are the Phase II permits.

The Phase II permit requires the City to have and update a Stormwater Management Plan, to implement what is called the Six Minimum Control Measures and to monitor the nutrient and sediment loads on Bull Creek, Turkey Creek and Mingenback Lake.

Rain event sampling started in the 2015 permit cycle. The City must collect samples from both upstream and downstream locations four separate times a year during the rising stages of Bull Creek, Turkey Creek and Mingenback Lake after it has rained a half inch or more. Two events must be collected between March and June and the other two between July and November.

The Six Minimum Control Measures include: 1. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. The City of McPherson provides staff training and public education and awareness. The effects of stormwater pollution are shared with local students and the general public through various presentations. 2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT. Throughout the year the City sponsors programs to clean up debris from waterways and encourages activities to help keep the community clean. Inlets are also labeled with "No Dumping, Drains to River" signage. 3. ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELMINATION (IDDE). City ordinance states that only water is to be discharged into the stormwater systems throughout McPherson. When a pollutant is illicitly discharged into the gutter or into a drainage ditch around town, City staff is responsible for tracking down where the pollutant came from and educating the people involved with the discharge. 4. CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF CONTROL. Without vegetative cover, construction sites are susceptible to soil erosion during storms. Contractors are required to contain sediment and any chemicals brought on site. They must also ensure vehicles are not tracking large amounts of sediment onto City streets. City staff inspects construction sites periodically to ensure all precautions are being taken to avoid the release of pollutants to waterways. 5. POST-CONSTRUCTION RUNOFF CONTROL. All new construction sites must submit a drainage plan detailing how the development will control the increased runoff from the site and slow it down to help alleviate the burden on existing infrastructure as well as treat the water to remove pollutants. 6. POLLUTION PREVENTION AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. Pollution prevention and good housekeeping measures include but are not limited to street sweeping, proper fleet maintenance techniques, proper salt storage facilities, proper storage and handling of hazardous materials and staff education.