Storm Water Quality Management

  • Storm water runoff is water generated by rain or snow that falls to the earth's surface and does not soak into the ground.
  • As it flows, storm water runoff collects pollutants such as animal waste, litter, fertilizers, oil and grease.
  • These pollutants will eventually be discharged to creeks, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
  • Water and any pollutants going down a storm drain are NOT TREATED before going to a creek, river or lake.
    • This is different than sanitary sewer systems, where water is treated at a wastewater treatment plant or goes to a septic system for treatment.

  • Runoff pollution can result in:
    • Contamination of water supplies
    • Threats to human health and the environment
    • Accumulation of toxins in animal tissues which could be later ingested by humans or other animals
    • Stress on aquatic life
    • Reduced biological diversity
    • Stream bank erosion
    • Destroyed spawning beds, fish and wildlife habitat
    • Degradation of the aesthetic and recreational value of surface water
  • Proper storm water management can greatly reduce the potential for damage to surface waters and ground water.

IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) issued the new MS4 General Permit in December 2021 to regulate MS4 entities in accordance with EPA Clean Water Act regulations:
  • Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4's) are conveyances for storm water including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels or storm drains owned or operated by any municipality, sewer or sewage district, fire district, state agency or federal agency and discharging directly to surface waters of the state.
  • MS4 entities include cities, towns, universities, hospitals and other entities located within urban areas.
  • MS4 entities are required to have a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP).
  • The University of Evansville is a MS4 entity, subject to IDEM's new MS4 General Permit (MS4GP).

  • Storm water surface drainage from UE's campus goes to the City of Evansville storm drains or combined sanitary sewer system.
  • UE is required to have a storm water quality plan for activities within the campus boundary, focusing on minimum control measures (MCM's):
    • Public Education and Outreach
      • Improving general understanding and perception of storm water quality programs.
      • Communicating goals, objectives, program information, important dates, activities and information links, and to provide a venue for feedback on the program.
      • Ensuring maintenance of storm drain identification and markings to communicate to the general public that pollutants go straight to area streams or waterways.
    • Public Participation and Involvement
      • Informing campus constituents of opportunities to participate in storm water quality improvement programs.
      • Helping to promote county Solid Waste District events such as Household Hazardous Waste Days.
    • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
      • Storm Sewer Mapping
      • Enforcement and prohibition of illegal discharges
        • An “illicit discharge” means any discharge to a MS4 conveyance that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except naturally introduced floatables, such as leaves or tree limbs. Sources of illicit discharges include but is not limited to sanitary wastewater, commercial car wash wastewater, oil spills or disposal, radiator flushing disposal, laundry wastewater, roadway accident spillage, pollutant run-off, and hazardous wastes.
      • Inspection of UE's storm water drainage system for evidence of illicit discharges
    • Construction Site Runoff Control (in effect during construction projects)
    • Post Construction Site Runoff Control
    • Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping - UE's program includes:
      • Debris removal and litter collection in parking lots, sidewalks and common areas
      • Erosion control, fertilizer and pesticide management for landscaped areas
      • Preventive maintenance on equipment
      • Structural Best Management Practices such as rip-rap slope stabilization

  • On campus:
    • Call the Office of Public Safety at 812-488-6911 if you see a spill near a campus storm drain.
    • Put debris, like cigarette butts, in the trash, so they don’t end up going down the drain!
    • Keep your vehicle well-maintained – fix any fluid leaks promptly and make sure to clean up any spills.
    • Clean up pet waste – bag up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash to prevent harmful bacteria from washing into local waterways.
    • If you have questions about UE's storm water quality program, call 812-488-2697.
  • Off campus:
    • Put debris, like cigarette butts, in the trash, so they don’t end up going down the drain!
    • Keep your vehicle well-maintained – fix any fluid leaks promptly and make sure to clean up any spills.
    • Clean up pet waste – bag up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash to prevent harmful bacteria from washing into local waterways.
    • Dispose of used motor oils, paints, and pesticides at your county Household Hazardous Waste/ToxAway Days (see Important Links section for website information).

NOTE: If you see a spill near a campus storm drain, call the Office of Public Safety at 812-488-6911 to report the spill

If you have any questions or feedback about UE's Storm Water Quality Management Program, please call 812-488-2697.

The University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47722, intends to discharge stormwater into the East Creek-Ohio River water-shed (#051402020401), and is submitting a Notice of Intent to notify the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of the MS4 entity’s intent to comply with the requirements of the MS4 General Permit to discharge stormwater run-off.

Contact Information:
Amber Elkins, Manager, Environmental, Health & Safety
1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47722
812-488-2697
ae152@36837a.com