Urban stormwater management in the City of Watsonville

Watsonville

Watersheds

• Pajaro River

Regulatory Background

Many laws and policies have been implemented and enforced over the last few decades to reduce pollutants and contaminants being discharged into the Pajaro River, and the Watsonville Slough Complex.

Federal

• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES):This program regulates storm water discharges from municipal storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction areas, and industrial activities. The program focuses on point sources, and operators of point sources are required to receive an NPDES permit before they can discharge. The program aims to prevent and reduce storm water runoff containing harmful pollutants from entering local water bodies.
  • Storm Water Discharges From Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) NPDES Permit Program Basics
    • Phase I Issued in 1990 and requires "medium" and "large" cities or certain counties with populations of 100,000 or more to obtain NPDES permit coverage for their storm water discharges MS4s Overview.
    • Phase II Issued in 1999 and requires regulated small MS4s in urbanized areas and small MS4s outside the urbanized areas that are designated by the permitting authority, to obtain NPDES permit coverage for their storm water discharges.Storm Water Phase II Final Rule

Timeline

• 2009 Storm Water Management Plan approved

Management Strategies

• Low Impact Development Best Management Practicesare outlined in the Design Guide. The Design Guide is similar to the hydromodification control standards active in Marin County. This is an interim guide while the City of Watsonville irons out a common hydromodification control standard with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Design Guidance replaces the City of Watsonville’s Storm Water Land Development Standards.
• The Storm Water Control Plan provides information on the status of measurable goals, an evaluation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and their effectiveness and any revisions to BMPs or measurable goals.

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.