Municipal Operations

The goals of the Municipal Operations element are to maximize the removal of pollutants while sweeping streets, cleaning storm drain inlets/basins, and conducting other routine municipal maintenance activities; and to minimize non-stormwater discharges to storm drains and watercourses from maintenance-related activities.

Since 1996, the Program has developed and Co-permittees have implemented the following performance standards which address reducing or eliminating water quality impacts of operations and maintenance activities conducted by agency staff.

Public Streets, Roads and Highways (PSRH) Operation and Maintenance (November 1996) – Defines the level of implementation that municipal agencies must attain to demonstrate that their local PSRH operation and maintenance activities reduce pollutants in stomwater to the maximum extent practicable.
Storm Drain System Operation and Maintenance (December 1996, updated March 1999) – Identifies maintenance activity implementation levels to optimize control of pollutants in stormwater during the performance of storm drain system operation and maintenance.
Water Utility Operation and Maintenance (January 1997) – Defines the level of implementation necessary to demonstrate the control of pollutants discharged from the operation and maintenance of municipal water supply utilities.
Pest Management (February 2002) – Provides control measures which minimize pesticide use, particularly organophosphate pesticides, and reduce the amount of pesticides in stormwater and landscape runoff.
Rural Public Works Maintenance and Support Activities (December 2002) –Defines the level of implementation necessary to ensure that required control measures are implemented while performing maintenance activities adjacent to streams.

Best management practices and control measures are incorporated into standard operating procedures for municipal operations. Training plays a major role in ensuring that agency staff uses proper techniques during the course of their duties.