City of Poquoson Annual Municipal Separate Storm Water Sewer System Permit

The City’s storm water permit if issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, as part of its Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System work. Virginia was issued General Storm water Permit by the EPA. This permit grants Virginia the authority to issue permits to localities.

Local government permits are issued for a five year period. Each year Poquoson and other permitted localities submit an annual report to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the state entity that administers the permit program. Poquoson’s report contains a matrix summarizing the past year’s work, and a plan for the next permit year. It also contains supporting information that ranges from regional reports to samples of advertising information to inventories of treatment practices installed over the past year.

Permit Requirements

Based on federal requirements, Poquoson is considered a “Phase II”, or smaller community. That means it is an urbanized area (and therefore must have a storm water permit), but is smaller in population. The federal government requires different actions depending on a community’s population. Poquoson is required to take measures in six different areas:

• Construction Site Storm water Runoff Control
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
• Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
• Post Construction Storm water Management
• Public Involvement/Participation
• Public Outreach and Education

In addition, some of Poquoson’s surrounding waters are bacterially impaired. Poquoson’s permit also requires that we take actions to reduce the discharge of bacteria into our storm water system.

What Citizens Can Do

Brochures are available at City Hall that provide details on what you can do on your property to help the Bay and improve our rivers and streams. Being a good steward of the Bay does not end at your property line. Here are some other ideas:

• Dispose of pet waste in a trash receptacle. Animal waste is a major source of bacteria, and proper disposal can make a huge difference.
• Think twice before you feed that bird! Goose droppings are a major problem in some areas.
• Our rivers and the Bay would be in much cleaner if the only thing in storm drainage systems was rain water. It is illegal to dump grass clippings, yard wastes, trash, oil, grease and other materials in storm drainage systems. If you have a question, or see something dumped into the drainage system that does not belong there, contact Public Works at 757-868-3590 or Engineering. We’ll be glad to help.
• If you’re thinking of a new home improvement project, try to reduce rooftop or paved surfaces. These are major sources of pollution. Less paved or roofed area also means less storm water runoff.
• If you have a septic tank, remember that you are required by state law to pump it out at least once every five years.
• Stop by the City Hall if you have a question or want more information. Look for information around the City, and at the Seafood Festival. Let us know if you have any questions or good ideas.
• Provide Comments! Contact us at 757-868-3025 with questions or to tell us how we can improve our permit work.