The City of Austin's Stormwater Permit Program ensures compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. The goal of the program is to reduce and prevent the discharge of pollutants into the city’s storm drain system and our creeks, lakes, and aquifers.
Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff may contain pollutants such as sediments, nutrients, bacteria, and petroleum products. The runoff generally enters our storm drain system through storm drain inlets and is released, untreated, into a nearby creek. Sometimes, the runoff may travel into a water quality pond, rain garden, or other stormwater treatment facility before being released into a waterway.
The City is required to have a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, granted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES). The MS4 Permit regulates discharges from Austin’s storm sewer system. The City is required to comply with the conditions of the permit and report on permit activities annually.
Storm Water Management Program
The City developed a Storm Water Management Program per the requirements of the MS4 permit. The Storm Water Management Program describes measures that the City implements to protect water quality and reduce pollutants to the “maximum extent practicable.” The Storm Water Management Program contains eight mandated elements:
- MS4 Maintenance Activities
- Post-Construction Stormwater Control Measures
- Illicit Discharges Detection and Elimination
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
- Industrial and High Risk Runoff
- Construction Site Stormwater Runoff
- Public Education and Involvement
- Monitoring Programs
Stormwater Permit Program staff work extensively with multiple City departments to ensure implementation and compliance with the Storm Water Management Program.
MS4 Permit Notices
TPDES stormwater permits require permit notices to be sent to the MS4 Operator in the jurisdiction where the activity is occurring. Please send all TPDES Notices in the City of Austin’s jurisdiction to TPDES_Coordinator@austintexas.gov.
Documents
- City of Austin MS4 Permit 2018-2023
- City of Austin TPDES MS4 Annual Report FY20
- City of Austin TPDES MS4 Annual Report FY21
- City of Austin TPDES MS4 Annual Report FY22
Questions?
Please reach out to TPDES_Coordinator@austintexas.gov.