National Menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Stormwater
First released in October 2000, the menu of BMPs is based on the stormwater Phase II rule's six minimum control measures. EPA has found the practices listed in the menu of BMPs to be representative of the types of practices that can successfully achieve the minimum control measures.
The list of BMPs is not all-inclusive, and it does not preclude MS4s from using other technically sound practices. However, the practice or set of practices chosen needs to achieve the minimum measure.
Stormwater management practices that are already being used should be recognized and appropriate credit given to those who have already made progress toward protecting water quality. There is no need to spend additional resources for a practice that is already in existence and operational.
- Measurable Goals Guidance for Phase II Small MS4s - Designed to help small MS4 operators comply with the measurable goals permitting requirements.
- Urban Management Measures Guidance - Guidance to help municipalities and citizens in urban areas protect waterbodies from polluted runoff resulting from everyday activities.
Effective stormwater management often occurs by using a holistic system management approach. This approach takes into account the effectiveness of each stormwater practice, the costs of each practice, and resulting overall cost and effectiveness rather than looking at each practice in isolation. Some individual practices may not be effective alone but, in combination with others, may provide a key function in highly effective systems.
The Phase II rule encourages such system-building by stating the minimum requirements in more general terms, which allows you to use appropriate situation-specific sets of practices that will achieve the minimum measures.
Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts
Stormwater runoff is generated from many different land surfaces and is impacted by the behaviors and activities of individuals, households, and the public. These common individual behaviors have the potential to generate stormwater pollution including:
- littering,
- disposing of trash and recyclables,
- disposing of pet-waste,
- applying lawn-chemicals,
- washing cars,
- changing motor-oil, and
- disposing leftover paint and household chemicals.
Convincing others to change their behaviors and properly dispose of materials can control such pollution. It is important that the public be aware of the significance of their behavior and that their actions can either pollute or protect our waterways.
Phase II MS4s are required to educate their community on the pollution potential of common activities, and increase awareness of the direct links between land activities, rainfall-runoff, storm drains, and their local water resources. The education programs must include clear guidance on steps and specific actions to be taken to reduce stormwater pollution-potential.
The benefits of public education efforts cannot be understated, especially on topics such as "nonpoint source" or "stormwater" pollution.
Key BMPs and Resources
MS4s developing a public education program should first create a public outreach strategy. An excellent document to help MS4s develop this strategy is EPA's Getting in Step: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns.
- Getting in Step: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns - Provides many of the tools you will need to develop and implement an effective watershed outreach plan.
- Phase II Public Education and Outreach Minimum Control Measure Fact Sheet
BMP Fact Sheets
EPA is updating the following fact sheets. You can request a copy or recommend any changes by sending an email.
The fact sheets describe the BMPs and generally provide applicability, implementation, and effectiveness information to help municipal stormwater and construction site operators comply with the stormwater Phase II requirements.
Developing Municipal Outreach Programs
- Developing an Outreach Strategy
Promoting the Stormwater Message
- Classroom Education on Stormwater
- Stormwater Outreach for Commercial Businesses
- Tailoring Outreach Programs to Minority and Disadvantaged Communities and Children
- Using the Media
Stormwater Outreach Materials
- Educational Displays, Pamphlets, Booklets, and Bill Inserts
- Promotional Giveaways
- Stormwater Outreach Materials
Education for Homeowners
- Alternatives to Toxic Substances
- Chlorinated Water Discharge Options
- Landscaping and Lawn Care
- Pest Control
- Pet Waste Management
- Proper Disposal of Household Hazardous Wastes
- Residential Car Washing
- Trash and Debris Management
- Water Conservation Practices for Homeowners
Education for Businesses
- Automobile Maintenance
- Pollution Prevention for Businesses
- Promoting Low Impact Development
Resources
EPA
- After the Storm - Video produced by EPA and The Weather Channel on how polluted runoff threatens watersheds.
- Trash Free Waters website - Resources to educate the public about the impact of trash and ways to prevent marine debris.
- Nonpoint Source Outreach Digital Toolbox - A catalog of over 700+ materials (TV/print/radio/give-aways/mascots/ public attitude surveys, evaluations of public response to media campaigns) that can be used in a stormwater public education campaign.
- Stormwater Outreach Materials and Reference Documents - Provides outreach materials that municipalities, watershed groups, state, and local governments can customize and use for their own stormwater outreach campaigns.
Other
- Stormwater Education Toolkit Exit - Includes thousands of educational products organized by target audience, and type of activity that can impact stormwater pollution.
- Water Spots Exit - Includes over twenty different radio spots created to educate the public on different aspects of stormwater pollution prevention.
- Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program Watershed Watch Education Site Exit - Includes numerous downloadable materials and kits.
- Think Blue Program - The City of San Diego, CA created an award-winning multi media campaign on preventing polluted runoff.
- National Extension Water Outreach Education Exit - Information on improving outreach efforts using "Best Education Practices."
Public Involvement/Participation
Encouraging community participation, forming partnerships, and combining efforts of other groups in the community will encourage everyone to work towards the same stormwater goals. Public involvement builds on community capital—the wealth of interested citizens and groups—to help spread the message to:
- prevent stormwater pollution,
- undertake group activities that highlight storm drain pollution, and
- contribute volunteer community actions to restore and protect local water resources.
Phase II MS4s are required to follow all state, tribal, and local public notice requirements when implementing their stormwater program. Public involvement also includes creating opportunities for direct action, educational, and volunteer programs such as tree planting days, volunteer monitoring programs, storm drain marking, or stream clean-up programs.
Key BMPs and Resources
After following public notice requirements, there are many different ways MS4s can involve the public in their stormwater program.
- Getting in Step: Engaging and Involving Stakeholders in Your Watershed - Provides the tools needed to effectively identify, engage, and involve stakeholders throughout a watershed to restore and maintain healthy environmental conditions.
- Phase II Public Participation/Involvement Minimum Control Measure Fact Sheet
BMP Fact Sheets
EPA is updating the following fact sheets. You can request a copy or recommend any changes by sending an email.
The fact sheets describe the BMPs and generally provide applicability, implementation, and effectiveness information to help municipal stormwater and construction site operators comply with the stormwater Phase II requirements.
Stormwater-Related Activities
- Adopt-A-Stream Programs
- Reforestation Programs
- Storm Drain Marking
- Stream Cleanup and Monitoring
- Volunteer Monitoring
- Wetland Plantings
Soliciting Public Opinion
- Attitude Surveys
- Stakeholder Meetings
- Watershed Organizations
Resources
EPA
- EPA's Volunteer Monitoring Program - Information on developing and implementing a volunteer monitoring program.
- Community-Based Watershed Management - Describes the highly successful approaches to watershed management implemented by the 28 National Estuary Programs (NEPs).
Other
- Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring: Guide for Growing CSREES Volunteer Monitoring Programs Exit- Information on building and supporting a volunteer monitoring program.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Drain Marking Program Exit- Information on ready-made storm drain marking kits for community groups.
- Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper's Get the Dirt Out Exit- Works with citizens, developers, and local governments to investigate and study Georgia's measures to reduce stormwater pollution from construction sites.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
In general, illicit discharges include any discharge into a storm drain system that is not entirely composed of stormwater. The exceptions include water from firefighting activities and discharges from facilities already under an NPDES permit. Illicit discharges are a problem because, unlike wastewater, which flows to a treatment plant, stormwater generally flows to waterways without any additional treatment. Illicit discharges often contain pathogens, nutrients, surfactants, and various toxic pollutants.
Phase II MS4s are required to develop a program to detect and eliminate these illicit discharges. This primarily includes developing:
- a storm sewer system map,
- an ordinance prohibiting illicit discharges,
- a plan to detect and address these illicit discharges, and
- an education program on the hazards associated with illicit discharges.
An effective illicit discharge program needs to be both reactive and proactive. The program is reactive in addressing spills and other illicit discharges to the storm drain system that are found. The program must also be proactive in preventing and eliminating illicit discharges through education, training, and enforcement.
Key BMPs and Resources
- Stormwater Phase II Fact Sheet on the IDDE Minimum Measure
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: A Guidance Manual for Program Development and Technical Assessments - Center for Watershed Protection's comprehensive manual that includes details on creating and managing an IDDE program, implementation timelines, information on estimating program costs in terms of capital and personnel expenses, and types of testing used to detect stormwater illicit discharges.
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program Development BMP Fact Sheet - EPA is updating this fact sheet. You can request a copy by sending an email.
BMP Fact Sheets
EPA is updating the following fact sheets. You can request a copy or recommend any changes by sending an email.
The fact sheets describe the BMPs and generally provide applicability, implementation, and effectiveness information to help municipal stormwater and construction site operators comply with the stormwater Phase II requirements.
Developing an IDDE Program
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program Development
- Reducing the Occurrence of SSOs
Trash and Illegal Dumping
- Developing a Used Oil Recycling Program
- Illegal Dumping Control
- Trash and Debris Management
Decentralized Wastewater
- Preventing Septic System Failure
- Sewage from Recreational Activities
Public Reporting
- Community Hotlines
Resources
EPA
- Trash Free Waters website - Resources to educate the public about the impact of trash and ways to prevent marine debris.
- Non-Stormwater Discharges - Fact sheet on controlling Non-Stormwater Discharges to the storm drain system.
- Model Illicit Discharge Ordinance
- Wastewater Education Materials - Materials to help municipal officials educate citizens on important wastewater issues.
Other
- Examples of municipal programs to detect and eliminate illicit discharges:
- Wayne County, Michigan Exit(13 pp, 106 K, About PDF)
- Manchester, New Hampshire Exit
- Example materials created for businesses:
- Business and Industry Guide to Chesterfield County’s Illicit Discharge Ordinance Exit(2 pp, 112 K, About PDF) – Chesterfield County, Virginia
- Best Management Practices: Food-Related Cleaning Exit – Las Vegas, Nevada
Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
Uncontrolled stormwater runoff from construction sites can significantly impact rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Sediment in waterbodies from construction sites can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching aquatic plants, clog fish gills, smother aquatic habitat and spawning areas, and impede navigation.
Phase II municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) are required to develop a program to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff to the MS4 for construction sites disturbing one or more acres. This primarily includes developing:
- An ordinance,
- Requirements to implement erosion and sediment control best managment practices (BMPs),
- Requirements to control other waste at the construction site,
- Procedures for reviewing construction site plans,
- Procedures to receive and consider information submitted by the public, and
- Procedures for inspections and enforcement of stormwater requirements at construction sites.
In addition to the stormwater requirements that Phase II MS4s place on construction sites, construction operators may also need to apply for NPDES permit coverage, generally if their project disturbs more than 1 acre and discharges to a waterbody.
- EPA's stormwater construction website – Describes NPDES permit requirements.
Key BMPs and Resources
MS4s addressing the construction minimum measure should focus on the following key BMPs to help them in developing a stormwater construction program.
- Construction Site Runoff Control Minimum Control Measure (Phase II Fact Sheet 2.6)
- Local Ordinances for Construction Site Runoff Control
- Construction Phase Plan Review
- Contractor Training and Certification
- Municipal Construction Inspection Program
EPA is updating the fact sheets above. You can request a copy by sending an email.
BMP Fact Sheets
EPA is updating the following fact sheets. You can request a copy or recommend any changes by sending an email.
The fact sheets describe the BMPs and generally provide applicability, implementation, and effectiveness information to help municipal stormwater and construction site operators comply with the stormwater Phase II requirements.
Municipal Program Oversight
- Construction Phase Plan Review
- Contractor Training and Certification
- Local Ordinances for Construction Site Runoff Control
- Municipal Construction Inspection Program
Construction Site Planning and Management
- Construction Sequencing
- Construction Site Operator BMP Inspection and Maintenance
- Land Grading
- Preserving Natural Vegetation
Erosion Control
- Chemical Stabilization
- Compost Blankets
- Dust Control
- Geotextiles
- Gradient Terraces
- Mulching
- Riprap
- Seeding
- Sodding
- Soil Retention
- Soil Roughening
- Temporary Slope Drain
- Temporary Stream Crossings
- Wind Fences and Sand Fences
Runoff Control
- Check Dams
- Grass-Lined Channels
- Permanent Slope Diversions
- Temporary Diversion Dikes
Sediment Control
- Brush Barrier
- Compost Filter Berms
- Compost Filter Socks
- Construction Entrances
- Fiber Rolls
- Filter Berms
- Sediment Basins and Rock Dams
- Sediment Filters and Sediment Chambers
- Sediment Traps
- Silt Fences
- Storm Drain Inlet Protection
- Straw or Hay Bales
- Vegetated Buffers
Good Housekeeping/Materials Management
- Concrete Washout
- General Construction Site Waste Management
- Spill Prevention and Control Plan
- Vehicle Maintenance and Washing Areas at Construction Sites
Resources
EPA
- Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Web Site Exit provides plain language information on environmental rules, including stormwater, for the construction industry.
- Model Illicit Discharge and Connection Stormwater Ordinance - Includes erosion and sediment control ordinance language.
- Urban Management Measures Guidance - Chapter 5 focuses on construction site erosion, sediment, and chemical control.
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans for Construction Activities - Steps necessary to develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan for construction activity.
- Outreach Materials for the Construction Industry – Includes brochures in English and Spanish and a poster.
Other
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Stormwater Guidance Exit
- Stormwater Construction Inspection Guide Exit(35 pp, 5.77 MB, About PDF) - Describes how municipal inspectors should conduct construction site inspections.
- Stormwater Compliance Assistance Tool Kit for Small Construction Operators Exit(44 pp, 500 K, About PDF) - Guidance to help small construction operators comply with their stormwater requirements.
- Kentucky Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Field Guide
- 2005 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington: Volume II -- Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Exit - Describes 12 elements of construction SWPPPs and BMP standards and specifications.
Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment
As areas are developed, the amount of paved surfaces increase leading to an increase in stormwater volume and pollutants, which can harm lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal areas.
The best way to mitigate stormwater impacts from new development is to use practices that treat, store, and infiltrate runoff onsite before it can affect water bodies downstream. Innovative site designs that reduce paved surfaces, or imperviousness, and other green infrastructure practices are excellent ways to reduce flows and improve water quality.
Phase II MS4s are required to address post-construction stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopments that disturb one or more acres. This primarily includes developing:
- strategies to implement a combination of structural and non-structural BMPs,
- an ordinance to address post-construction runoff, and
- a program to ensure adequate long-term operation and maintenance of BMPs.
Key BMPs and Resources
MS4s addressing the post-construction minimum measure should focus on the following key BMPs to help them in developing a post-construction program. Information on green infrastructure and smart growth are key resources for MS4s.
- EPA’s Green Infrastructure - Includes many resources on green infrastructure practices that use vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and create healthier urban environments
- EPA's Smart Growth program - Includes many resources on smart growth
- Stormwater Manager's Resource Center Exit - Provides information to stormwater practitioners, local government officials and others that need technical assistance on stormwater management issues.
- Ordinances for Post-Construction Runoff
- Post-Construction Plan Review
- BMP Inspection and Maintenance
- Low Impact Development (LID) and Other Green Designs
BMP Fact Sheets
EPA is updating the following fact sheets. You can request a copy or recommend any changes by sending an email.
The fact sheets describe the BMPs and generally provide applicability, implementation, and effectiveness information to help municipal stormwater and construction site operators comply with the stormwater Phase II requirements.
Municipal Program Elements
- BMP Inspection and Maintenance
- Ordinances for Post-construction Runoff
- Post-construction Plan Review
- Zoning
Innovative BMPs for Site Plans
- Alternative Turnarounds
- Conservation Easements
- Development Districts
- Eliminating Curbs and Gutters
- Green Parking
- Green Roofs
- Infrastructure Planning
- Low Impact Development
- (LID) and Other Green Design Strategies
- Narrower Residential Streets
- Open Space Design
- Protection of Natural Features
- Redevelopment
- Riparian/Forested Buffer
- Street Design and Patterns
- Urban Forestry
Infiltration
- Grassed Swales
- Infiltration Basin
- Infiltration Trench
- Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement
- Pervious Concrete Pavement
- Porous Asphalt Pavement
Filtration
- Bioretention (Rain Gardens)
- Catch Basin Inserts
- Sand and Organic Filters
- Vegetated Filter Strip
Retention/Detention
- Dry Detention Ponds
- In-Line Storage
- On-Lot Treatment
- Stormwater Wetland
- Wet Ponds
Other
- Alum Injection
- Manufactured Products for Stormwater Inlets
Resources
EPA
- Urban Management Measures Guidance - Helps municipalities and citizens in urban areas implement their Phase II stormwater permit programs, and states implement their nonpoint source control programs.
- Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices
- Water Quality Scorecard - Offers policy options for protecting and improving water quality across different scales of land use and across multiple municipal departments.
- Protecting Water Resources with Higher-Density Development
- Rainwater Harvesting Conservation Credit Codes - This technical guidance document describes rainwater harvesting practices that have the potential to supplement water supplies, manage stormwater and provide a number of additional environmental benefits.
- Federal Facilities:
- Stormwater Management at EPA - Describes a stormwater management demonstration project at EPA Headquarters.
- Stormwater Management for Federal Facilities under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act - Includes technical guidance and resources that federal facilities can use to reduce stormwater runoff from federal development and redevelopment projects to protect water resources.
Other
- LID for Big Box RetailersExit - Developed with input from a major big box retail corporation, this EPA-funded manual provides large retailers with strategies that integrate innovative and highly effective stormwater management techniques into their site designs for regulatory compliance and natural resource protection.
- 2012 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington - Includes detailed standards to control stormwater runoff.
- California New Development and Redevelopment BMP Handbook Exit - Includes a series of BMP fact sheets on various BMPs to control stormwater runoff from new developments.
- Maintaining Your BMP: A Guide for BMP Maintenance in Northern Virginia Exit - Assists homeowners with maintaining post-construction BMPs.
- Municipal Guide to Low Impact Development - Presents the benefits of LID in a two-page fact sheet.
- Prince George's County Bioretention Manual Exit(206 pp, 9.8 MB, About PDF) (PDF) - Describes how to use bioretention to improve infiltration on a site level.
- Low Impact Development Technical Guidance Manual for the Puget Sound- The LID Technical Guidance Manual was developed by the Puget Sound Action Team.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development's The Practice of Low Impact Development - Describes LID and alternatives to conventional design approaches.
- Low Impact Development Videos - Includes three videos highlighting green infrastructure techniques and includes examples from Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA.
Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operators
Preventing pollutants from entering a waterway is less expensive than restoring a waterway after it’s been polluted. Therefore, programs should first focus on preventing pollution before it happens. BMPs under each of the minimum measures, but especially under this pollution prevention category, focus on preventing pollutants from contacting stormwater.
Municipal activities such as winter road maintenance, minor road repairs, and other infrastructure work, automobile fleet maintenance, landscaping and park maintenance, and building maintenance can release pollutants into MS4s that ultimately discharge to nearby waterbodies. Municipal facilities can also be sources of stormwater pollutants if BMPs are not in place to contain spills, manage trash, and handle non-stormwater discharges.
Sweeping parking lots and streets and cleaning storm drains can prevent pollutants from entering nearby waterways.
- Potential Pollutants Likely Associated with Specific Municipal Facilities - Table listing the pollutants that are typically associated with municipal facilities and municipal activities.
Phase II MS4s must train their staff to prevent and reduce stormwater pollution from activities like maintaining MS4 infrastructure and performing daily municipal activities, such as park and open space maintenance, fleet and building maintenance, and new construction and land disturbances. This primarily includes:
- Developing inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules for stormwater BMPs
- Implementing BMPs to treat pollutants from transportation infrastructure, maintenance areas, storage yards, sand and salt storage areas, and waste transfer stations
- Establishing procedures for properly disposing of pollutants removed from the MS4
- Identifying ways to incorporate water quality controls into new and existing flood management projects
- Developing a training program for all municipal staff involved in activities that could discharge pollutants to the MS4
- Developing standard operating procedures that incorporate stormwater BMPs for common municipal activities
Key BMPS and Resources
The key BMP to addressing the good housekeeping minimum measure is the development of an employee training and education program. Common municipal activities and facilities which should be addressed in the training program are described in individual fact sheets in the next section below.
- California Municipal Stormwater BMP Handbook
- Phase II Fact Sheet on Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Minimum Control Measure
- Municipal Employee Training and Education BMP Fact Sheet- EPA is updating this fact sheet. You can request a copy be sending an email.
BMP Fact Sheets
EPA is updating the following fact sheets. You can request a copy or recommend any changes by sending an email.
The fact sheets describe the BMPs and generally provide applicability, implementation, and effectiveness information to help municipal stormwater and construction site operators comply with the stormwater Phase II requirements.
Education
- Municipal Employee Training and Education
Municipal Activities
- Coal-Tar Sealcoats and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
- Municipal Landscaping
- Municipal Vehicle Fueling
- Municipal Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance
- Municipal Vehicle and Equipment Washing
- Parking Lot and Street Cleaning
- Road Salt Application and Storage
- Roadway and Bridge Maintenance
- Storm Drain System Cleaning
Municipal Facilities
- Hazardous Materials Storage
- Materials Management
- Municipal Facilities Management
- Spill Response and Prevention
Resources
EPA
- Urban Management Measures Guidance - Chapters 7, 9, and 11 address some of the issues found in this minimum measure.
Other
- 2012 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington: Volume IV - Source Control BMPs
- Example Good Housekeeping Practices - Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program
- Example Guidance Document for Municipality Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Best Management Techniques - Erie County Department of Environment and Planning
- Example Guideline for Street Sweepings and Catch Basin Cleanings - State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection