Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. Stormwater drains along curbs and gutters into a network of inlets, pipes, and manmade and natural channels that eventually drain into streams, lakes, and rivers. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that contaminates water sources. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use stormwater controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling it at its source.
Water Quality
Mandated by Congress under the Clean Water Act in 1990, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (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.
Issued by the State of Kansas, the NPDES Permit requires cities and counties, including the City of Merriam, to prepare a Stormwater Management Plan which addresses required program elements, including Best Management Practices (BMPs) and a schedule of activities. The six program elements included in the NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) include:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation/Involvement
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Manage Fall Leaves
Fallen leaves may seem harmless, but when they collect in streets or around storm drains, they can block water flow, cause flooding, and lead to expensive repairs that affect the whole community.
As leaves fall, mulch them with your mower to nourish your lawn or bag them for yard waste pickup. Please don't rake or blow leaves into the street or near storm drains. It's against the law, and keeping leaves out of the storm drain system helps protect Merriam's creeks and reduces the risk of flooding.
Program Documents
Merriam MS4 NPDES Discharge Permit(PDF, 537KB)
Merriam Stormwater Management Plan 2021-2024(PDF, 994KB)
2024 Stormwater Annual Report for MS4(PDF, 2MB)
Reporting Illicit Discharges
If you see illicit discharges occurring, please submit the matter through our Report a Problem feature on our website or call the Johnson County Stormwater Hotline at 913-715-6900.
Stormwater Management Public Input
Do you have a comment or suggestion on how the city manages stormwater? Send us an email or call 913-322-5520.
Resources
Learn what you can do to help reduce water pollution.
Only Rain Down the Drain
Contain the Rain Program
If It's On the Ground, It's in Our Water - Stormwater and Regional Water Quality(PDF, 857KB)
Pick Up After your Pet(PDF, 581KB)
Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Field Guide(PDF, 2MB)