A National Pollutant Discharge Permit requires Shelby County Government to implement a Stormwater Management Program to protect water quality and to satisfy requirements of the federal Clean Water Act. This program implements measures to reduce the discharge of pollutants to area lakes and stream, including engineering methods and management practices. 

The program concentrates on six (6) areas that are essential to achieving the programs goals.

1. Public Education about Stormwater Impacts
2. Public Participation in Reducing Pollution
3. Detection and Elimination of Illegal Discharges
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
5. Permanent Stormwater Management for New Development and Re-Development
6. Pollution Prevention for Municipal Operations

This site lists opportunities for stormwater training, education, and outreach. Printable pamphlets are available that provide homeowners with tips and information regarding topics such as proper disposal of potential pollutants including antifreeze, leaves, paint, and pet waste. Citizens can file complaints and report polluters quickly and easily using the downloadable Stormwater Pollution Complaint Form. In addition, the portal links to the stormwater programs for other municipalities located within Shelby County.

Why Does Stormwater Matter?

Everything that you see, and a lot that you can't see laying in the gutters or on the street is carried into the storm drains by rain or melting snow. Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people.

• Sediment can cloud the water, inhibiting growth of aquatic plants and animals, and destroying the habitat.
• Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming and fishing areas, and create health hazards.
• Litter - plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed into water bodies reduces our water quality and can harm aquatic animals.
• Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other chemical fluids can poison aquatic life. People can become sick and die from ingestion of diseased fish or polluted water.
• Polluted water affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

Curbing Stormwater Pollution 

 The Shelby County government has developed this Stormwater website dedicated to informing officials, developers, business owners, and citizens about the importance of stormwater pollution prevention. This site provides a single location to obtain the latest environmental regulations regarding stormwater and features the most recent version of the Stormwater Management Manual (SWMM).  

Advice for Selecting a New Home

The office of the county engineer receives many inquiries every year from homeowners who are concerned about stormwater in their neighborhood, on their property, or even in their houses. Below is a New Homeowners Buyers Guide to Stormwater Management that our office has written to help property owners and home buyers understand the government's regulations and responsibilities regarding drainage and flooding. The document also provides some tips that may be useful in the selection of a house or property that will be free of stormwater problems.

New Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Management