Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems and Health Issues

Originally presented at StormCon 2022 on September 27, 2022, 10:45-11:15 AM

Under the Clean Water Act (40 CFR 122) Jefferson Parish was required to apply for and obtain a permit to discharge stormwater runoff from the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) into waters of the United States. As required by the permit, Jefferson Parish has developed a stormwater management plan (SWMP) to control the discharge of pollutants into the stormwater drainage system. The dumping of used motor oil and other wastes into storm drains is a major source of nonpoint source pollution to local waterbodies. Often it occurs because people do not understand the connection between storm drainage system discharges and the receiving water bodies. Some people believe that the storm drains carry these wastes to a sewerage treatment plant. Storm drains ditches and canals carry untreated rainwater and all the pollutants picked up from the streets, lawns, parking lots, and sidewalks (urban runoff) directly to the lake or bayou — directly into habitats for fish and wildlife. These pollutants can lead to different types of diseases such as Giardia, Vibrio, Cyanobacteria, and algae. They also negatively impact water quality such as high nutrients and low dissolved oxygen.

Presented by:

Sami Khalil – Jefferson Parish Environmental