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Municipal Stormwater Permit
Overview
Eugene, like many other cities and counties throughout the United Sates, is required by the federal Clean Water Act to obtain a stormwater permit, referred to as a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The permit is aimed at protecting and improving water quality in our local creeks and rivers. In Eugene, that includes Amazon Creek and the Willamette River. The permit authorizes the City of Eugene to discharge stormwater runoff from the municipal stormwater system and includes a set of required best management practices (described in a Stormwater Management Plan) and water quality monitoring requirements. In Oregon, the NPDES permitting program is administered by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
On September 15, 2021, DEQ renewed the City of Eugene's municipal stormwater permit. The new permit went into effect on October1, 2021. The City will continue to implement all of the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) best management practices developed under the previous permit and has begun working on program revisions, as needed, in order to implement the new permit. The current SWMP will remain in effect until DEQ approves the Stormwater Management Program Document required by the new permit. The updated SWMP Document will be available on this web site for public review and input in fall 2022.
- Current Stormwater Permit & Monitoring Plan
- Annual Reports
- Water Quality Data
- Other Documents & TMDL Reports
The City completes an annual report and submits it by December 1 each year to DEQ. The reports cover the period of time from July 1 through June 30 and include information on stormwater program activities and analysis of Eugene's water quality monitoring results.
Annual reports, from the 2014 Report up to the most recently completed 2021 Report are available below. Earlier reports are available upon request. Please direct any questions or comments about Eugene's reports via email to: twalch@eugene-or.gov, or by phone: 541-682-5549.
Water quality in Amazon Creek and the Willamette River through Eugene is improving. The City has analyzed samples taken from these and other local waterways for over 20 years and data show decreasing pollutant trends for certain metals, nutrients, bacteria and turbidity. These trends toward water quality improvement indicate that the City’s stormwater program and community efforts are having a positive impact. Certain pollutants continue to be problematic in Eugene’s streams, however, including bacteria and zinc. Sources of bacteria in urban areas include pet waste, so it is important to pick up after pets and dispose of animal waste properly. Zinc, which can be toxic to aquatic life at low levels, is commonly found in moss control products, galvanized metal roofing materials, and even in car tires as they degrade over time. For tips on what we can all do to reduce and prevent these pollutants from getting into the stormwater system and local rivers and streams, please see happyrivers.org.