Utah STORMnet

When it rains, water flows over soil surfaces on construction sites, creating stormwater runoff. This runoff picks up loose soils, debris, and other pollutants and transports them to nearby streams, rivers, and lakes. Proper stormwater controls are critical for stopping these pollutants from entering waterways and the surrounding environment to protect Utah's water.

Construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land must obtain a stormwater permit to be authorized under the Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (UPDES).

Industrial facilities such as manufacturing facilities, mining operations, landfills, steam electric plants, automotive recyclers, waste and metal recycling, larger wastewater treatment plants, and transportation facilities are typically required to obtain  permits for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities. These permits require the creation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPP) for each facility covered under the permit.

The SWPP identifies potential sources of pollution that may impact stormwater quality. It also establishes a plan for the implementation of practices to reduce pollution impacts and compliance with the requirements of the permit.

Pollutants such as heavy metals, oil and grease, pesticides, fertilizers, road salts, excess sediment, and pathogens build up in urban and suburban areas from construction, industrial activities, vehicles, lawn care, pet waste, building materials, and septic systems. When water accumulates on urban surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and parking lots, it creates stormwater runoff that picks up these pollutants and transports them to nearby waterbodies.

Urban pollutants and contaminants can include a variety of compounds that are harmful to the people, plants, fish, and wildlife that use or consume water from impacted waterbodies. Learn what you can do on your property to limit stormwater pollution and keep our waterways clean and healthy.