Status Report: NPDES Storm Water Permit Program for the City of Houston, Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District and the Texas Department of Transportation

On November 16, 1990, EPA promulgated the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water discharge regulations. The NPDES regulations required that municipalities greater than 100,000 in population obtain NPDES permit coverage for storm water discharged to Waters of the United States. During the permit application phase, the City of Houston, Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District and Texas Department of Transportation decided to work together and develop consistent programs that were required by the regulations. The NPDES storm water permit became effective on October 1, 1998 and includes the City of Houston, Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District and Texas Department of Transportation as co-permittees. The permit term is five years. ; Permit provisions require that these Agencies each develop and implement a storm water management program. This presentation includes an overview of the NPDES storm water permit and requirements, major program elements that are being developed by the Agencies in response to the permit conditions, and a public education campaign that emphasizes public awareness and pollution prevention activities.