WaQSP STORMWATER PLANNING ELEMENT
After three years, 125 stakeholder meetings, 200 individual comments, and numerous unofficial discussions, the final Salt Lake Countywide Water Quality Stewardship Plan (WaQSP) was published in August of 2008. The FINAL WaQSP Stormwater Planning Element is now available for public use. Please let us know if there are any comments or suggestions (801.468.2711).
BACKGROUND
Stormwater can degrade the quality of water in the streams by conveying pollutants from developed areas and construction sites. The most common pollutants in found in stormwater are sediment and nutrients. Stormwater is discharged to rivers and streams without treatment. These pollutants can impair river ecosystems and reduce recreation opportunities. Stormwater also impacts the hydrology in the streams by impacting the quantity and timing of runoff.The Stormwater planning element considers the effect of stormwater on the water quantity and quality of water in the receiving waters.
SCOPE
1. Review of existing regulations.
2. Review existing conditions (stormwater flow and quality).
3. Review the extent of stormwater impact in Salt Lake County.
4. Review current issues.
5. Review anticipated stormwater conditions.
MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Continue to address the impacts of stormwater in the County as a matter of good public policy in addition to regional flood control authority.
Incorporate water quality considerations into the evaluation of Flood Control Permits due to the Countywide drainage system influence on surface waters, irrigation waters and groundwater.
Update the current stormwater quality management plan and the current GIS-based stormwater conveyance map. These efforts should be coordinated with all Cities in the County.
Sample instream water quality during storm events to assess impacts to surface water quality. The County should continue to sample stormwater discharges, as required by the State stormwater permit for large municipalities.
Participate in concurrent management programs relating to surface waters that convey stormwater within Salt Lake County, i.e. State led TMDL efforts, SLC Watershed Management Plan, Salt Lake County Foothill and Overlay Zone permitting.
Continue reliance on non-structural or programmatic BMPs. Public awareness, targeted education, ordinances, good housekeeping, trash management, etc., should be encouraged.
Evaluate retrofitting existing regional stormwater facilities to incorporate water quality treatment components and encourage the use of post-construction water quality practices (ie. constructed wetlands, bio-swales, wet ponds and other natural best management practices) during the permitting of new stormwater conveyance and discharge systems.
Develop Countywide water quality design criteria targeting specific constituents for stormwater management facilities. These criteria should incorporate alternatives to meet the specific needs of the cities.
Conduct a feasibility study to identify specific irrigation canals that could be operated and maintained as water quality control facilities (i.e., linear detention basins) when not being used for transport of irrigation water.
Design, construct and monitor one treatment BMP per year. The County should incorporate open space and recreational opportunities into these
Continue funding the overall stormwater coordinator Program and the municipal stormwater program in unincorporated County.
Use existing drainage funding sources to implement or expand existing post-construction BMP implementation.
Seek demonstration funds and/or grant monies to implement new stormwater quality improvement strategies.
Continue to partner with other co-permittees for efficient programs.
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