Background
In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed to help protect rivers, streams, and lakes from pollution. From this Act the newly created United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The purpose of the NPDES program was to track and control sources of pollution through permitting. In 1987, the NPDES program’s focus was widened to include permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4). The first MS4 permits for cities within Alabama were distributed in 1996. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is responsible for administering the permits in Alabama. The duration of each permit is five years.
Program Overview
The current ADEM MS4 permit for Midfield (NPDES Permit No. ALS000030) (Link to permit) is effective from August 17, 2022, through August 16, 2027. Midfield is currently a member of Storm Water Management Authority, Inc. (SWMA) which has a membership of 22 cities within Jefferson County. SWMA helps the member cities cost share many of the permit requirements.
The components of the permit are as follow:
| Storm Water Collection System Operations | Spill Prevention and Response |
| Public Education and Public Involvement on Storm Water Impacts | Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations |
| Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) | Application of Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilizers (PHFs) |
| Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control | Oils, Toxics, and Household Hazardous Waste Control |
| Post-Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment | Industrial Storm Water Runoff |
Midfield submits an Annual Report to ADEM reporting their stormwater permit requirements. The latest report can be found here (Link to annual report). A copy of the appendices can be provided upon request.
Each year Midfield must seek and consider public input for the Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP) which outlines how the city will meet the permit requirements. The latest SWMPP can be found here (Link to SWMPP). A copy of the appendices can be provided upon request.
Stormwater-related Ordinances
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance (link to permit or pdf)
- Illicit Discharge Ordinance (link to permit or pdf)
- Post-Construction Ordinances (link to permit or pdf)
Important Numbers and Links
| Call (205) 923-7578 | For unknown liquids entering the storm drain system, stream or river |
Call (205) 923-7578 | For mud leaving a construction site due to improper construction practices |
| Call (205) 424-0110 | For any spill |
| Call (205) 942-0681 | Sanitary Sewer Overflow |
What is Stormwater and What Can I Do to Help?
Stormwater is rainwater or snow melt that flows from different sources including rooftops, street curbs, and paved areas. As the water runs across these surfaces, it picks up excess chemicals and litter before entering the nearest creek, river, or stream untreated. Green infrastructure can be used to reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing water and filtering it near the source.
For more information on stormwater and what you can do as a citizen, business owner, or developer click on the links and/or pamphlets below.
Residents/Businesses
Links
- General Information (https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/after_the_storm.pdf)
- Watershed Information (https://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm)
- Watershed Index Online (https://www.epa.gov/wsio)
- Illicit Discharges (https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/idde_chapter-1.pdf)
- Littering (https://www.kab.org)
- Household Hazardous Waste Disposal (https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw)
- Pesticides (https://www.epa.gov/pesticides)
- Fertilizers (https://www.adem.alabama.gov/programs/water/nps/take/fertilizing.pdf)
- Car Washing (https://www.adem.alabama.gov/MoreInfo/pubs/CWP_Wash.pdf)
- What You Can Do At Home(https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/what-you-can-do-your-home)
- Cooking Grease Recycling (www.jeffcoes.org/Default.asp?ID=112&pg=HOUSEHOLD+COOKING+OIL+RECYCLING)
- Septic Systems (https://www.jcdh.org/SitePages/Programs-Services/EnvironmentalHealth/CommunityEnvironmentalProtection/OnsiteSewDisp.aspx)
- Carpet (www.epa.gov/greenerproducts/identifying-greener-carpet)
Brochures
- Rain Barrels (pdf)
- Herbicides and Fertilizers (Keep It Green and Simple) (pdf)
- Household Hazardous Waste Disposal (pdf)
- Pet Waste (pdf)
- Pesticides (pdf)
- Watershed Protection Program (pdf)
Fun Stuff for Kids
- Coloring Sheet and Word Search (pdf)
- Watershed Coloring Sheet (pdf)
- Don’t Leave your Waste in My Place Bookmark (pdf)
Contractors/Developers/Engineers
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control for Individual Lots Brochure (pdf)
- Alabama’s Field Guide for Erosion and Sedimentation Control on Construction Sites-
(AllCombined-2022_11_1_22.pdf (alabamasoilandwater.gov)
- Alabama’s Low Impact Development Handbook (https://adem.alabama.gov/programs/water/waterforms/LIDHandbook.pdf)
- EPA’s Low Impact Development Webpage
(https://www.epa.gov/nps/urban-runoff-low-impact-development) - Low Impact Development (pdf)
Household Hazardous Waste
- Electronics’ Donation and Recycling https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling#where
- General Recycling including Motor Oil https://search.earth911.com/
- Jefferson County Environmental Community Resource Booklet
(https://www.jcdh.org/SitePages/Programs-Services/EnvironmentalHealth/CommAssessProg.aspx)
Stormwater Controls
- Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Pond Maintenance (pdf)
- Stormwater Pond Maintenance Guidebook https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/pondmgmtguide.pdf