Storm Water Management Plan

Introduction

The Village of South Chicago Heights has a General Permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency MS4's for discharges from its municipal storm water system.  This permit requires the Village to develop and implement a Storm Water Management Program designed to prevent and or reduce pollution from its storm sewer system.

Public Education and Outreach

The Village compiled and produced various brochures covering topics such as the effect of chemicals and sediment on streams and what should not be dumped into a storm drain. This information is available at the Village Hall and on the Village's web site.  The goal of this program is to increase the awareness of impacts of storm water discharges on water bodies and steps the public can take to reduce pollutants in storm sewers.

Public Involvement

The Village reaches out to local schools, businesses or civic groups for water quality and stream enhancement activities. The Village will provide organization and/or supplies to facilitate these activities. The goal of this program is to encourage active public participation in water quality programs.

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

The Village has developed storm sewer record maps.  The maps are available to Public Works Employees. 

Resident Reporting - Residents can report instances of pollution or expected pollution by contacting The Village of South Chicago Heights, 708-755-7888 during regular business hours or South Chicago Heights Police at 708-755-3521.

Detection - The Village staff inspects the storm sewer system for illicit discharges while performing routine maintenance.

Source Removal - The Village's response to ilticit discharges depends on the source.  ln most cases, property owners are notified of the need to eliminate the illicit discharge. In the case of emergency spills or incidents of hazardous material dumping, the Fire Department would respond.  

Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control

The Village of South Chicago Heights has adopted the Cook County Water Shed Ordinance.

All construction sites that are required to file for coverage under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System {NPDES) general or individual permit for storm water discharges from construction site activities shall have a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that meets the requirements of current NPDES permit lLRlO.  SWPPP plans are submitted, reviewed, and approved as part of the approval process for the development. The Village performs periodic site observations to assess the effectiveness of the erosion control measures.

Post Construction Runoff Control

The Village owns and maintains some of the storm water detention facilities. These facilities are inspected when routine maintenance occurs (mowing, etc.). Detention facilities privately owned are periodically inspected and their owners alerted to perform required maintenance.

Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Employee Training

Public Works staff is trained on topics such as:  material storage, hazardous wastes, illicit discharges, equipment cleaning, vehicle maintenance, street maintenance, and lawn and landscape care.

Street Sweeping - The Village has the streets cleaned twice a year at a minimum.  

Inspection and Maintenance - The Village periodically inspects and removes debris from manholes and catch basins. The Village repairs structures found to be in disrepair.

Stream Reconnaissance - The Village performs stream reconnaissance.  This activity is done once per year and takes place where a stream enters and leaves the Village limits. 

Material Storage - Flammable materials are contained in indoor fire resistant cabinets or containers. Road salt materials are stored under permanent cover. 

Fleet Maintenance and Cleaning - Maintenance and cleaning operations are conducted inside the Public Works Facility where floor drains are connected to a triple basin and the sanitary sewer system.  

Landscaping and Pest Control - Pesticides and herbicides are only applied by properly trained and licensed staff.

Reporting

Notice of intent - the term of the Village's General Permit from the IEPA is five years.  At the end of each permit term, the Village submits a Notice of Intent to comply with the conditions of the General Permit to the IEPA.  This Notice of Intent describes the practices the Village intends to implement in order to meet the conditions of the General Permit.

Annual Report - Each year the Village submits a report to the IEPA documenting its status of compliance with the conditions of the General Permit.