Storm water originates from rainfall – whatever doesn’t soak into the ground runs off into our creeks. Storm water starts off relatively free of pollutants, but as it flows over the landscape it picks up substances from our roads, parking lots and lawns and carries these substances into the streams and lakes. Storm water is conveyed through a storm drain system, it does NOT go to a treatment plant - it discharges directly to our streams without any treatment. Many of the substances picked up by the storm water are harmful to the plants and animals that live in our streams and ponds, which is why it is important for us to reduce storm water pollution.

Polluted storm water runoff from urbanized areas is a major cause of impairment to our Nation’s waterways. Efforts to improve water quality came with the passage of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972. Under the authority of the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a storm water permitting program with the goal of significantly reducing the pollution source. Collin County has been designated by the EPA as having “urbanized areas” and therefore must make application to discharge storm water to waters of the United States.

In Texas, The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) was delegated the responsibility by the EPA for implementing the regulations, commonly called the Phase II Storm Water Program. Under the Phase II Program, The EPA identified six minimum control measures, which should be included in a community’s Storm Water Program. The six storm water quality minimum controls are as follows:

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

The objective of the City of Parker Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) is to develop a program with which the City of Parker can reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable (MEP).