Bozeman, MT:

The Most Livable Place.

City of Bozeman

Storm water Management Program

Due to increased federal and state regulations to control storm water runoff, a 1999 regulation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required small municipal storm sewer system to apply for a special permit regulation storm water runoff. The permit is called the Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES).  The MPDES regulations require the City of Bozeman to implement a Storm Water Management Program.

The program is comprised of several Best Management Practices to protect local creeks, streams, rivers and ponds from pollutants that can be washed into the waterways by rainfall, snow melt, and runofff from car washing or lawn watering.

Currently, storm water drainage plans are required for new development in Bozeman.  The purpose of these plans is to limit storm water runoff from the site to the pre-development runoff rates.  Storm water storage and treatment facilities are designed to remove solids, silt, oils, grease, and other pollutants.  More information regarding the regulations is available in the City of Bozeman's Design Standards and Specifications Policy, available in the City Engineer's Office, 20 East Olive Street.  City of Bozeman Design Standards and Specifications

Storm water is rain, snow melt, or excess water from lawn watering or car washing that doesn't soak into the ground.  If left untreated, the storm water runs over paved areas, bare soils and sloped lawns collecting and transporting potential pollutants as it flows through the City's storm sewer and eventually to local creeks, streams, rivers and ponds.

A potential pollutant is anything that may impair the receiving water body.  This includes leaves, grass clippings animal waste, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, oil, grease, antifreeze, sediment, paint, solvents, and debris.

Potential pollutants create a variety of problems which may result in the destruction of spawning and wildlife habitats and a reduction in the aesthetic value and recreational use of our waterways.  Untreated storm water runoff has the potential to create the following problems:

• Leaves and grass clippings cause a nutrient overload in the water resulting in an algae bloom.  The decomposition of algae removes oxygen from the water.  Fish and other aquatic life cannot survive in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.
• Bacteria and other pathogens from pet waste and illicit connections to sewer systems can make water unsafe for swimming and fishing.
• Toxic chemicals from automobiles, household cleaning supplies, and lawn care are poisonous to fish and other aquatic life.
• Sediment from construction runoff results in streambed scour, erosion and the destruction of riparian vegetative cover.

 Ten Things You Can Do to Prevent Storm water Runoff Pollution

• Pick up after your pet
• Never dump anything down storm drains
• Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway
• Use fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides sparingly
• Vegetate bare spots in your yard
• Inspect and maintain vehicles to reduce leakage of fluids
• direct downspout away from paved surfaces
• Cover piles of loose landscaping materials, such as sand, bark and dirt
• Take used motor oil and antifreeze to a recycling center or house hold hazardous waste facility
• Use kitty litter or other absorbent material to clean up spills from paved surfaces.

Contact Information

Storm water Management Program

Email: stormwater@bozeman.net

City Engineering Office: (406) 582-2280

Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste Disposal and Recycling Information

City Shops Complex (406) 582-3200