See links for NPDES information

Reducing Non-Point Source Pollution
Non-point source pollution is contamination that comes from multiple contributors, which often occurs during rain storms. In urban areas, pollutants, such as oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash, flow untreated through storm sewers into our surface waters. For ideas of practices you can do around your home to reduce stormwater runoff, check out this pamphlet. Follow this link for rain garden information. Another idea for groups interested in getting involved is to volunteer to do storm drain stenciling.

Pollutants Accumulation
These pollutants accumulate over time and can degrade the quality of our lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. The end result may be impaired recreational use, contaminated drinking water supplies, and/or loss of habitat, fish and wildlife.

Non-Point Discharge Elimination System or NPDES
To improve water quality throughout the country, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a storm water management program (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System or NPDES) to guide local governments. This program focuses on reducing the amount of urban pollutants in cities with 100,000+ residents and now certain “small” cities, which includes the City of Burnsville.

Burnsville’s Objectives
In accordance with EPA’s storm water management program, Burnsville is committed to the following 6 objectives for improving water quality:

1. Public Education and Outreach
The City will distribute educational materials and perform outreach activities to inform citizens about the impacts that polluted storm water can have on water quality.

2. Public Participation/Involvement
The City will provide opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation by publicizing public hearings and/or encouraging citizens to comment on the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program.

3. Illegal Discharge Detection and Elimination
The City will implement a plan to detect and eliminate illegal discharges to the storm sewer system. A system map has been created and the hazards associated with improper disposal of waste will be publicized.

4. Construction Site Runoff Control
The City will continue to implement and enforce an erosion and sediment control program for construction activities. Typical controls include silt fences and temporary or permanent sediment ponds.

5. Post Construction Runoff Control
The City will continue to implement and enforce a program that addresses post-construction storm water runoff. This program includes preventative actions such as protecting sensitive areas (e.g., lakes, wetlands, Black Dog Preserve) through ordinances and/or the use of sediment traps such as treatment ponds, grassed swales or infiltration practices.

6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
The City will implement a program to prevent or reduce pollutants in runoff from City operations. The program includes staff training on pollution prevention measures and techniques (e.g., regular street sweeping, reduction in the use of pesticides or street salt, frequent catch-basin cleaning, a pond clean out program).

Want To Know More?
The City will also schedule a public meeting in approximately February of each year to summarize the program activities, solicit comments and finalize the required annual report that must be submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

If you have questions on the City's NPDES program, please contact Terry Schultz at 952-895-4505.