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Storm Water Management

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Rochester Community Schools is committed to the environment and strives to be a good steward of the land within its jurisdiction by using appropriate Best Management Practices to contribute to the improvement of water quality within the Rouge River Watershed where the district is located. Rochester Community Schools encourages all students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors to get involved through opportunities provided by the local watershed groups including Friends of the Rouge and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

Why worry about stormwater?

Many people may not realize that stormwater collected in drains located on the street curbs does not flow to their local water treatment plant. Rather, this water remains untreated and is discharged directly into the waterways. During this journey to the waterways, stormwater collects and carries a broad range of pollutants. Stormwater is a nonpoint source of pollution thus making it extremely difficult to address and the single greatest threat to our water quality and watershed health. Nonpoint source pollution comes from many diffuse runoff sources such as rainfall and snowmelt, flowing over and through the ground, picking up pollutants as it goes. Some of these pollutants occur naturally, such as nutrients from sediments, manure, or pet wastes. Other pollutants such as fertilizers, automotive grease, and oil occur from our interaction with the environment. Stormwater acts as a carrier of nonpoint source pollution and is therefore considered a major cause of water quality problems both in Michigan and nationwide.

Public Notice of Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)

To this end, the school district has developed and implemented a “Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)” to reduce the discharge of pollutants from their MS4 to the Maximum Extent Practicable and protect water quality in accordance with the appropriate water quality requirements of Michigan Act 451, Public Acts of 1994, Part 31, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the district National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit (NPDES). A copy of the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) is available for review on the district’s website at https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/ Any questions or comments regarding the Stormwater Management Plan should be directed to the Stormwater Program Manager at (248) 726-3000

Local Action

Stormwater pollution has become the main source of water quality and habitat impairments in the Clinton River and its tributaries. Under Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES), part of the Clean Water Act, many public entities, including local and county governments within the watershed must meet federal and state standards for reducing stormwater pollution leaving their jurisdiction.

As a result, communities are coming together to address stormwater management on a watershed basis. In the Clinton River Watershed, seven subwatershed planning groups have been formed. As part of the Clinton River watershed, the Rochester School District has become involved with the Stony/Paint Creek subwatershed group.

Each group has charted a course to fulfill the requirements of their stormwater permits by working together on a subwatershed basis, sharing data and information and creating joint planning documents.

For more information on how you can help your community improve water quality in surrounding watersheds, refer to the following resources by visiting the links below.

 

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