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Development & Public Works

Development & Public Works

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Stormwater

Stormwater management is part of the community’s effort to improve water quality, protect fish habitat, and reduce flooding that can damage property and infrastructure.

Stormwater is rainwater runoff from roofs, lawns, streets, parking lots, and other developed areas. It flows into street gutters, storm drains, open channels, swales, and pipes, then drains to the McKenzie or Willamette rivers.

Springfield’s stormwater system is separate from the wastewater system. Unlike wastewater from indoor plumbing, stormwater is not treated before it enters rivers and streams.

Keeping stormwater clean is a shared responsibility and it matters because our waterways support swimming, fishing, wildlife, and drinking water sources.

Report spills, Illegal dumping and other water pollution

Contact Springfield's Stormwater Team at 541-726-3694 or WaterResources@springfield-or.gov. The Stormwater Team responds to illicit discharges from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays).

For after hours reporting of illicit discharges that require immediate attention, contact the Springfield Police Department's non-emergency line at 541-726-3714.

PLEASE INCLUDE: Location of pollution, type of incident (water pollution, illegal dumping, etc.), description of incident, if applicable the vehicle description and license plate, your information (name, phone, email), and if you'd like a follow-up call or email.

See Springfield's Municipal Code on illegal stormwater pollution, known as Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE):

Why the City Manages Stormwater

River water quality is protected locally and nationally by the federal Clean Water Act of 1972. It’s enforced by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Springfield city code which is adopted by Springfield City Council.

The City of Springfield operates under a stormwater permit issued by DEQ to release runoff to “waters of the state.” Because Springfield has more than 65,000 residents and sends stormwater to the Willamette and McKenzie rivers, the City is held responsible for working with the community to reduce water pollution.

The DEQ has found that some local waterways are “impaired.” For that reason, Springfield implements a Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan (TMDL IP) to address temperature, bacteria, and mercury.

Child playing in the Springfield City river
Springfield City crops
Springfield City stormwater pond
Springfield City river
Springfield City river
Springfield City team planting trees
Springfield City forrest
People planting trees
Springfield City river
Fish lesson for kids in Springfield City
Springfield City riverside
Springfield City river
Springfield City dog pot cleaning
Turtles gathered in the Springfield City river
Springfield City sewer
Stormwater-Ditching-28th-Street in Springfield City
Springfield’s stormwater system collects rain (urban runoff) and releases it into the McKenzie or Willamette River. The Stormwater Team does management and education for this important and easily overlooked part of the City’s infrastructure.

Stormwater Permit, Plans, & Reports

The following documents describe the stormwater permit issued to the City of Springfield by the Oregon DEQ.

Click a tab below to view each document group.

To get a stormwater permit, visit the Springfield Development Center.

Get a permit

NPDES MS4 Phase II General Permit

This permit is issued by the DEQ and sets Springfield’s stormwater requirements under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Under that program, Springfield is regulated as a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). Springfield’s permit is a Phase II general permit shared by about 23 Oregon municipalities.

Springfield’s MS4 Annual Report

This shows how Springfield met permit requirements during the fiscal year.

 

Stormwater Management Plan 2010 (SWMP)

This long-term plan outlines Springfield’s stormwater programs and projects and is adopted by Springfield City Council. Much of the plan covers general background information that has not changed much since 2004, so the plan continues to stay in effect today.

MS4 Plan 2022 to 2024

This document updates Chapter 5 of the SWMP. Chapter 5 outlines how Springfield will meet current MS4 permit requirements.

Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan (TMDL IP)

DEQ has determined that some rivers receiving Springfield’s stormwater have high levels of temperature, bacteria, and mercury. The City’s TMDL Implementation Plan outlines how Springfield addresses those pollutants.

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Annual Report

These reports document work completed under the TMDL plan each year.

Focus Areas for Stormwater Management

DEQ permits require the City to address the areas below. These target the main ways pollution reaches waterways through stormwater.

Public Education and Outreach

Programs that inform and educate the public, business, industry, and government about the causes of stormwater pollution, the effects on local streams and rivers, and encourage behavior change that will reduce stormwater pollution and promote the health of the Willamette and McKenzie rivers.

Public Involvement and Participation

Programs that provide opportunities for the public to participate in the development, implementation, and modification of Springfield’s stormwater management program.

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Programs that improve water quality by preventing, proactively investigating (detecting, characterizing, and tracing), and removing illicit discharges to the stormwater system.

Construction Site Runoff Control

This protects water quality by reducing or preventing soil erosion and implementing sediment control measures at construction sites. It includes best management practices, ordinances, inspections, enforcement actions, and education.

Post-Construction Site Runoff for New Development and Redevelopment

Regulations that improve water quality by requiring the management of stormwater runoff from new and redevelopment projects.

Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping For Municipal Operations

This requires the City to maintain streets, storm drains, parks, City vehicles, and other public facilities in ways that reduce pollution entering local waterways.

History Corner:
Springfield’s vision for cleaner rivers

In 1999, Mayor Bill Morrisette and the Springfield City Council adopted the ‘Seven Key Outcomes for Stormwater’ to guide the City’s vision for cleaner rivers.

Starting in 1990, Oregon’s largest cities with populations over 100,000 were required to manage stormwater under state and federal stormwater permits.

By 1999, Springfield City Council and staff knew mid-sized cities like ours would also someday be required to maintain stormwater permits. That year, City Council adopted the “Seven Key Outcomes for Stormwater” to set a clear vision for managing stormwater in Springfield.

In 2007, Springfield became the first city in Oregon to receive an NPDES MS4 Phase II stormwater permit from DEQ. Today, Springfield has an exemplary stormwater program providing inspiration and more to similarly sized locales across Oregon and nationwide.

7 Key Outcomes for Stormwater

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions answered:

Why does the City have a stormwater management program?

The City manages stormwater flows across the City to prevent both flooding and pollution. Because municipal runoff from Springfield enters Waters of the State, the City has a permit with the state to discharge this runoff.

Oregon Administrative Rule 603-095-4005 (17) defines “Waters of This State.” This includes rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, bays, and certain ocean waters within Oregon. It includes both year-round and seasonal waterways. This definition also refers to ORS 390.605 (Definitions) and 33 U.S.C. 1344(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which set rules for how water resources are regulated and protected.

Because Springfield’s stormwater drains into these waters, the City must manage stormwater under state and federal law and permit requirements.

Who regulates the City's stormwater program?

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regulates the City's stormwater program. It does that by requiring, issuing, and enforcing the City’s stormwater permit, called a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, under the federal Clean Water Act.

What does the MS4 permit require the City to do?

The permit requires the City to complete specific activities, meet set deadlines, keep records, and report to DEQ.

The permit lists six control measures (specific actions to stop pollution and manage runoff) where the City must show progress every year:

  1. Public Education and Outreach
  2. Public Involvement and Participation
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  4. Construction Site Runoff Control
  5. Post-Construction Site Runoff for New Development and Redevelopment
  6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping For Municipal Operations

What does the City maintain and what is the responsibility of others?

The City plans and maintains the public stormwater system. Property owners are responsible for maintaining the stormwater system on their private property. Community members and the City are responsible for preventing pollution from washing into the stormwater system.

Who pays for stormwater services?

Utility customers pay a monthly stormwater charge on their utility bill. Stormwater services are not paid for with taxes. This charge pays for operating and maintaining the stormwater system, which reduces flooding and protects streets, homes, businesses, and other property in Springfield. The stormwater charge can only be used for stormwater-related work.

Stormwater projects in new development areas are also funded through System Development Charges, or SDCs. These charges are paid as part of new development and expansion.

For this year's stormwater charges:

For the stormwater budget:

For System Development Charges:

What do monthly stormwater user fees (rates) pay for?

Stormwater fees are necessary to fund Springfield’s federally required stormwater management program, which includes:

  • Cleaning and maintaining 200 miles of stormwater pipelines.
  • Cleaning 6,500 storm drain basins, which keeps 100 tons of sediment and pollutants out of local waterways.
  • Sweeping 6,000 miles of paved streets, removing 1,000 tons of street debris.
  • Collecting 200 tons of leaves through the Leaf Pickup Program.
  • Maintaining stormwater features (includes ditches, ponds, swales, wetlands, etc.).
  • Planting native vegetation and removing invasive species along public waterways.
  • Coordinating volunteer stewardship events.
  • Establishing codes to protect riparian and wetland areas, which improve waterway health.
  • Addressing illegal stormwater pollution.
  • Providing public education to prevent stormwater pollution.

How do I give my opinion on stormwater plans and regulations?

The most effective way to make a change is to participate in the public comment period.

Springfield stormwater plans are updated every several years. Public comment periods are open only for a limited time, such as 2-weeks, so consider joining a mailing list or contacting the Stormwater Team.

Who does Springfield partner with on stormwater management?

What happens if I report stormwater pollution?

When you see someone is dumping or releasing pollution that may enter the stormwater system, contact the Stormwater Team:

You have the option to be anonymous or, if you provide contact information, we can get back to you about our investigation.

We call stormwater pollution an "Illicit Discharge" and will respond quickly to prevent it. We also investigate the cause and educate the person causing pollution so it doesn't happen again. The Stormwater Team may also submit a report to Springfield Code Enforcement.

I received a flier at my door. Why?

The Stormwater Team distributes fliers for two main reasons:

  1. To raise awareness of the stormwater system and waterways in your area. Storm drains flow to our valuable water resources – wetlands and waterways. Protecting water quality is everyone's responsibility, so we ask for your help in letting us know if you notice water pollution in your area.
  2. Because we found illegal stormwater pollution coming from your area. By alerting the neighborhoods, we remind those who did it that it needs to stop, and ask neighbors to keep an eye out and let us know if they observe water pollution in the future. Water pollution harms public health, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

Contact Springfield’s Stormwater Team

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