In Shawnee, as in all developed areas, rainwater which falls during storm events runs off buildings, homes, parking lots and streets. This water, now defined as stormwater, travels along gutters, into catch basins and through storm drain pipes, and ultimately into the Kansas River, untreated. During this process, the stormwater picks up trash (fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, Styrofoam cups, etc.) and toxins (used motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, etc.). These pollutants are picked up by any flowing water such as rainwater, household sprinkler systems, fire hydrants, personal hoses, etc., and transported to local waterways. To summarize, anything which is intentionally or accidentally dumped contributes to stormwater pollution.
Mandated by Congress under the Clean Water Act in 1990, the NPDES Stormwater Management Program is a comprehensive national program for addressing non-agricultural sources of stormwater pollution that adversely affect the quality of our nation's waters. The Program uses the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to require cities to implement controls designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed by runoff into local water bodies. The City of Shawnee, under NPDES Phase II permit, is actively pursuing these controls today to ensure a cleaner, safer tomorrow.
City of Shawnee Comprehensive Stormwater Management Program (CSMP)