Safety Policies and Procedures Manual
Chapter 6: Public Health and Environmental Quality

Stormwater Management

SPPM 6.58

For more information contact:
   Environmental Health and Safety
   509-335-3041


Purpose and Scope

The University is responsible for planning, operating, monitoring, maintaining, and protecting stormwater facilities and systems at WSU campuses, in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Applicability

This SPPM section is applicable to WSU Pullman, WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, WSU Vancouver and WSU Everett.

Regulatory Requirements

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) have determined that stormwater pollutants are a major source of surface water pollution in the United States. Federal and state regulations and permits require control and management of stormwater facilities and systems in accordance with the DOE’s Eastern and Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permits (see WAC 173-226 and RCW 90.48), and the city or regional ordinances of Pullman, Richland, Spokane, Vancouver, and Everett where applicable.

Note: DOE Construction Stormwater General Permits are are separate DOE permits covering construction sites that are one acre or greater in size.

WSU Vancouver

For WSU Vancouver, the Clark County Stormwater Management Plan provides regulatory guidance for compliance with stormwater discharges.

Legal Requirements   

WSU must comply with federal, state, and local stormwater laws and regulations. 

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issues regulations implementing federal laws;   
  • The Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE) issues regulations implementing state laws;   
  • The cities of Pullman, Spokane, Richland, Vancouver, and Everett issue regulations implementing local laws; and   
  • Other local area governments regulate stormwater discharges.

Violations

Violations of federal, state, or local law may result in fines and/or imprisonment for University personnel, supervisors, and administrative officers.

Stormwater Management Programs

The University has developed Stormwater Management Programs (SWMPs) for WSU Pullman, WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, and WSU Vancouver. The city of Everett’s stormwater permit rules cover WSU Everett.

Refer to the following subsections in this section for further information regarding stormwater management at the four WSU campuses:

Definitions

Stormwater

Stormwater is defined as the portion of precipitation that does not naturally percolate into the ground or evaporate, but instead runs off paved roads and parking lots, roofs, and other impervious surfaces during rainfall or snow melt. Stormwater can also come from hard or saturated grass surfaces, such as lawns, pastures, and playfields, and from gravel roads.

As water runs off these surfaces, it can pick up pollutants, such as oil, fertilizers, pesticides, soil, trash, and animal waste.

Total Maximum Daily Load

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a water cleanup process that is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet applicable water quality standards.

Illicit Discharges

Illicit discharges are prohibited from entering storm sewers and surface waters.

An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater or of non-stormwater as specified under Allowable and Conditionally Allowable Discharges below, which can include but is not limited to:

  • Spilling, dumping, or otherwise improperly disposing of hazardous materials, animal waste, litter, etc.;   
  • Illicit connections such as sanitary sewers tied into storm sewers;   
  • Routine external building washdown that uses detergents;   
  • Car washing activities;   
  • Soil erosion from construction sites, including street cleaning;
Animal Waste

See SPPM 6.28, WAC 504-36-020(7), and EP39 for additional University rules and requirements regarding the handling of animal wastes.

Allowable and Conditionally Allowable Discharges

Allowable Discharges

The following categories of non-stormwater discharges are allowed to be discharged to stormwater, surface waters and groundwaters:

  • Diverted stream flows
  • Rising groundwaters
  • Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration (as defined at 40 CFR 35.2005(20))
  • Uncontaminated pumped groundwater
  • Foundation drains
  • Air conditioning condensation
  • Irrigation water from agricultural sources that is commingled with urban stormwater
  • Springs
  • Uncontaminated water from crawl space pumps
  • Footing drains
  • Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands
  • Discharges from emergency firefighting activities in accordance with section S2 Authorized Discharges of the Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit
  • Non-stormwater discharges authorized by another NPDES (national pollution discharge elimination system) or state waste discharge permit
Conditionally Allowable Discharges

The following categories of non-stormwater discharges are conditionally allowed only if the stated conditions are met and such discharges are allowed by local codes:

  • Discharges from potable water sources, including but not limited to water line flushing, hyper-chlorinated water line flushing (water that contains more than 10 mg/L chlorine), fire hydrant system flushing, and pipeline hydrostatic test water.
     
    Planned discharges must be dechlorinated to a total residual chlorine concentration of 0.1 ppm or less, pH-adjusted, if necessary, and volumetrically- and velocity-controlled to prevent resuspension of sediments in the MS4. (An MS4 is a conveyance or series of stormwater conveyances owned by a public entity, e.g., city, state.)
  • Discharges from lawn watering and other irrigation runoff.
     
    These discharges must be minimized through, at a minimum, public education activities and water conservation efforts conducted by the Secondary Permittee and/or the local jurisdiction.
  • Dechlorinated swimming pool, spa, and hot tub discharges.
     
    The discharges must be dechlorinated to a total residual chlorine concentration of 0.1 ppm or less, pH-adjusted and re-oxygenated, if necessary, and volumetrically and velocity-controlled to prevent resuspension of sediments in the MS4. Discharges must be thermally controlled to prevent an increase in temperature of the receiving water. Swimming pool cleaning wastewater and filter backwash must not be discharged to the MS4.
  • Street and sidewalk wash water, water used to control dust, and routine external building wash-down, if detergents are not used and the discharge is minimized.
     
    The secondary permittee must reduce these discharges through, at a minimum, public education activities and/or water conservation efforts conducted by the secondary permittee and/or the local jurisdiction. To avoid washing pollutants into the MS4, the secondary permittee must minimize the amount of street wash and dust control water used.
  • Other non-stormwater discharges must be in compliance with the requirements of a pollution prevention plan reviewed by the permittee which addresses control of such discharges.

WSU Pullman

Reporting Illicit Discharges, Concerns, or Emergencies

Individuals at WSU Pullman may report illicit discharges, concerns, or emergencies to the campus offices indicated below:

During University Business Hours

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S); telephone 509-335-3041.

Before or After University Business Hours

Facilities Services, Operations; telephone 509-335-9000.

Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Components

The WSU Pullman SWMP has the following components:

  • Public education and outreach.
  • Public involvement and participation.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control.
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
  • Compliance with Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements (see Definitions).
Program Document

The most current version of the WSU Pullman SWMP is available to the public from the EH&S website. The University encourages public participation and input in the continued development of the SWMP.

View the WSU Pullman Stormwater Management Plan on the EH&S website.

Responsibilities

EH&S

EH&S is responsible for:

  • Staff education and outreach.
  • Public education and outreach, including tenants.
  • Public involvement and participation.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Assisting WSU departments to develop operation and maintenance (O&M) plans.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
  • DOE Construction Stormwater General Permit applications.
  • Review and approval of:
    • Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP);
    • Stormwater Site Plans (SSP); and
    • Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plans.
  • Construction site inspections.
  • TMDL requirements (see Definitions).
  • Serving as the DOE and City of Pullman regulatory liaison.
Facilities Services, Operations

Facilities Services, Operations is responsible for:

  • Staff education and outreach.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control for Facilities Services, Operations or Shops projects.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations, including the development of O&M plans.
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment.
  • TMDL requirements (see Definitions).
Facilities Services, Capital

Facilities Services, Capital is responsible for:

  • Staff education and outreach.
  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control.
  • Design of post-construction stormwater management facilities for new development and redevelopment.
  • Contractors (Both contractors and Facilities Services, Capital are responsible for illicit discharge detection and elimination.)
Housing and Dining Services

Housing and Dining Services is responsible for:

  • Staff and public education and outreach.
  • Resident education.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations, including the development of O&M plans.
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment.
Transportation Services

Transportation Services is responsible for:

  • Staff education and outreach.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations, including the development of O&M plans (e.g., stadium washdown O&M plan).
Athletics

Athletics is responsible for:

  • Staff education and training.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations, including the development of O&M plans (e.g., stadium washdown O&M plan).
CAHNRS, Animal Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and USDA

CAHNRS, Animal Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and USDA are responsible for:

  • Staff education and training.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
  • Removal and proper disposal of fecal matter deposited by University-owned and managed animals.
  • Containment of waste materials during transport on public streets and roads.
     
    Accidental release of material should be cleaned up as soon as possible following standard operating procedures and best management practices. For further information or if a spill is beyond the capability or training of the applicable employees, contact EH&S; telephone 509-335-3041 during business hours and 509-335-9000 during non-business hours.

WSU Spokane

Reporting Illicit Discharges, Concerns, or Emergencies

Individuals may report illicit discharges, concerns, or emergencies to the campus offices indicated below:

During University Business Hours

WSU Spokane EH&S; telephone 509-368-6699.

Before or After University Business Hours

WSU Spokane Campus Security; telephone 509-358-7995.

Immediate Threat

Call 911 if the spill or activity represents an immediate threat to human health or the environment.

Stormwater Management

At the WSU Spokane campus, WSU Spokane EH&S and WSU Spokane Facility Services coordinate and make decisions for the campus stormwater management system and program to meet the Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Secondary Permit requirements and Spokane city ordinances, where applicable.

SWMP Components

The WSU Spokane SWMP has the following components:

  • Public education and outreach.
  • Public involvement and participation.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control.
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
Program Document

The most current version of the WSU Spokane SWMP is available to the public from the WSU Spokane EH&S Stormwater Management website.

The University encourages public participation and input in the continued development of the SWMP.

Responsibilities

WSU Spokane EH&S coordinates the implementation of the WSU Spokane SWMP and permit components. The following are specific departmental responsibilities. Refer to the SWMP for more details.

WSU Spokane EH&S

WSU Spokane EH&S is responsible for:

  • Public education and outreach.
  • Public involvement and participation.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
WSU Spokane Facility Services

WSU Spokane Facility Services is responsible for:

  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
WSU Spokane Campus Development

WSU Spokane Campus Development is responsible for:

  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control.
  • Design of post-construction stormwater management facilities for new development and redevelopment.
  • Contractors (Both contractors and WSU Spokane Campus Development are responsible for illicit discharge detection and elimination.

WSU Tri-Cities

Reporting Illicit Discharges, Concerns, or Emergencies

Individuals may report illicit discharges, concerns, or emergencies to the campus offices indicated below:

During University Business Hours

WSU Tri-Cities EH&S; telephone 509-372-7163.

Before or After University Business Hours

WSU Tri-Cities Emergency Line; telephone 509-372-7234.

Stormwater Management

At the WSU Tri-Cities campus, EH&S and Facilities coordinate and make decisions for the campus stormwater management system and program to meet the Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Secondary Permit requirements and Tri-Cities regional ordinances, where applicable.

SWMP Components

The WSU Tri-Cities SWMP has the following components:

  • Public education and outreach.
  • Public involvement and participation.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control.
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and re-development.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
Program Document

The most current version of the WSU Tri-Cities SWMP is available to the public on the WSU Tri-Cities EH&S website.

The University encourages public participation and input in the continued development of the SWMP.

Responsibilities

WSU Tri-Cities EH&S coordinates the implementation of the WSU Tri-Cities SWMP and permit components. The following are specific departmental responsibilities. Refer to the SWMP for more details.

WSU Tri-Cities EH&S

WSU Tri-Cities EH&S is responsible for:

  • Public education and outreach.
  • Public involvement and participation.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
WSU Tri-Cities Facilities Services

WSU Tri-Cities Facilities Services is responsible for:

  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment.
  • Contractors (if WSUTC Facilities Services engage their own contractors). If applicable, both contractors and WSUTC Facilities Services are responsible for illicit discharge detection and elimination.
Facilities Services, Capital (WSU Pullman)

Facilities Services, Capital at WSU Pullman is responsible for the following functions at WSU Tri-Cities:

  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control.
  • Design of post-construction stormwater management facilities for new development and re-development.
  • Contractors (if WSU Pullman Facilities Services, Capital engages the contractors).
    As applicable, both contractors and the applicable Facilities Services, Capital department are responsible for illicit discharge detection and elimination.

WSU Vancouver

Reporting Illicit Discharges, Concerns, or Emergencies

Individuals may report illicit discharges, concerns, or emergencies to the campus offices indicated below:

During University Business Hours

WSU Vancouver EH&S; telephone 360-546-9706; or WSU Vancouver Facilities Services; telephone 360-546-9000.

Before or After University Business Hours

WSU Vancouver Public Safety; telephone 360-546-9001.

Stormwater Management

At the WSU Vancouver campus, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Services coordinates and make decisions for the campus stormwater management system and program to meet the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Secondary Permit requirements and Vancouver city ordinances, where applicable.

SWMP Components

The WSU Vancouver SWMP has the following components:

  • Public education and outreach.
  • Public involvement and participation.
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control (including acquisition of DOE Construction Stormwater General Permits).
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and re-development.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
Program Document

The most current version of the WSU Vancouver SWMP is available to the public from the WSU Vancouver EH&S website.

The University encourages public participation and input in the continued development of the SWMP.

Responsibilities

The WSU Vancouver Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Services coordinates the implementation of the WSU Vancouver SWMP and permit components. The following are specific departmental responsibilities. Refer to the SWMP for more details.

WSU Vancouver Facilities Services

WSU Vancouver Facilities Services is responsible for:

  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and re-development.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
WSU Vancouver EH&S

WSU Vancouver EH&S is responsible for:

  • Public education and outreach.
  • Public involvement and participation.
  • Monitoring, program evaluation, and recordkeeping requirements.
WSU Vancouver Capital Planning and Development

If construction and/or development is to take place, WSU Vancouver Capital Planning and Development is responsible for the following:

  • Construction site stormwater runoff and control (including acquisition of DOE Construction Stormwater General Permits)
    if construction is to take place.
  • Design of post-construction stormwater management facilities for new development and redevelopment.
  • Contractors. Both contractors and WSU Vancouver Capital Planning and Development are responsible for illicit discharge detection and elimination.
WSU Vancouver Public Safety

WSU Vancouver Public Safety is responsible for illicit discharge detection and elimination enforcement.

_______________________
Revisions:  Sept. 2021 (Rev. 130); Dec. 2008 – new policy (Rev. 77).