Storm Water

Storm Water is a Section of the Public Services Division of the Provo City Public Works Department. Created as the Provo City Storm Water Special Service District in 1992, we operate and maintain the city’s storm drain system year-round to minimize flooding and pollution to our natural resources within Provo City, as well as in the Provo River and Utah Lake. Much of the city storm drain system has been converted from flood irrigation canals and pipes.

Our staff, which consists of engineers, technicians, and field maintenance personnel, focus on four main areas related to the storm drain system in Provo City. These areas of focus are: Storm Drain Operations and Maintenance, Private Development Review and Coordination, Water Quality and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Permitting, and Capital Improvement Projects.

For details surrounding floodplains visit our Flood Information page.

Operation & Maintenance

storm-drain-grate

Provo City has approximately 150 miles of storm drain pipe throughout the city. During rain storms, runoff is collected by street inlets, conveyed through the storm drain lines, and eventually ends up in Provo River or Utah Lake.

The Provo City Storm Water Maintenance Team works to constantly improve and maintain existing storm drains, adding new storm drain improvements to problem areas each year. We also maintain several frontal canyon debris basins, storm water detention ponds, open channels, and portions of the Provo River.

Storm water is not cleaned in a treatment plant before it is released into the Provo River, Utah Lake, or returned to groundwater. Our maintenance crews ensure that the storm system is cleaned routinely and functions properly to minimize flooding and ensure that storm water in Provo does not become a pollutant to our natural resources.

It is illegal to put anything other than storm water into the storm drain. If you need to report illegal dumping into the storm drain, or if you know of a storm drain maintenance need, please contact the Provo City Customer Service Hotline by dialing 311 and our Storm Water team will be notified. City Code 18.02.020

Development Review/Coordination

engineers-working All new development and changes to existing infrastructure improvements need to follow the Provo City Public Works Department Development Guidelines. The Storm Water Engineering Team provides coordination and design review for private developments in conjunction with the other Provo City Departments and Divisions of Provo City Public Works. Other useful references for preparing an application for development in Provo City include: Storm Drain Master Plan, Erosion Control and Water Quality Manual, Storm Drainage System Design and Manual, and Storm Water Management Plan.

Water Quality/Permitting

fall-waterfall The Storm Water system in Provo City is a separate storm water collection and conveyance system and is not connected to the wastewater system in any way. Consequently, storm water is not cleaned in the treatment plant before it is released into the Provo River, Utah Lake or returned to groundwater. Provo City is responsible for ensuring compliance with storm water quality regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Utah State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Provo City has a Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit with the State of Utah which outlines Provo City’s responsibilities as it relates to the quality of storm water runoff within Provo City boundaries. This permit requires Provo City to adhere to many different requirements, including public outreach to citizens, training of employees, Storm Water inspections of construction sites, etc. To learn more about the MS4 permit please visit the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) website.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

As part of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (UPDES) requires construction storm water permits for soil disturbances of an acre or more, as well as less than an acre if it is part of a common plan of development or sale that is over an acre. Soil disturbance can be described as, but is not limited to, clearing, grading, or excavation. Contractors will be required to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the State of Utah prior to performing any construction activities and/or receiving a Provo City permit.

As an element of the UPDES permit, applicants will also be required to develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for their construction site. For more information on permits and SWPPP requirements, please visit the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) website.

Per MS4 requirements, Provo City SWPPP inspectors perform monthly inspections of all construction sites within Provo jurisdiction, unless site-specific details require more frequent inspections. Provo utilizes compliancego.com to track both municipal and contractor SWPPP inspection reports.

Your Part in Keeping Our Water Clean

chemicals "Do I really make a difference?"

Yes you do! Everyday we make simple choices about washing our cars, taking care of our lawns, what to do with unused prescriptions, draining our swimming pool water or deciding what to do with pet waste?

Follow the tips below to prevent contamination in our waterways.

Immediately clean up spills involving motor oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizer, or other hazardous materials.
Wash cars either at a commercial car wash or on your lawn, where the ground is able to absorb the water you use.
Use fertilizer and pesticides in dry weather without wind.
Avoid putting fertilizer on paved areas and sidewalks.
Dispose of medicine and prescription drugs properly at the Provo Police Department. Do not flush medications down the toilet.
All pool or hot tub discharges must be documented and approved by Provo’s Storm Water Section.
When walking your dog clean up pet’s waste and dispose of properly.

If you are unsure of how to dispose of something visit SUVSWD “What to do with” page.

Anyone caught discharging anything but rain into the storm drain is subject to penalties and/or fines, plus the cost of clean up. Remember: we all live down stream!