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NPDES Storm Water Management Program
There are many types of storm water drainage systems in the City of Canton - storm sewers, ditches, creeks, culverts, etc. Some of these are "public" in that they are owned and operated by the City; others are "private". For those that are owned and operated by the City, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls them "Municipal Separate Storm Sewers Systems" (MS4s). As such, the City of Canton is identified as an "MS4 Operator". With its MS4s being located within a Census-defined Urbanized Area, the EPA has designated the City of Canton as a regulated MS4 Operator under Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Program. Essentially, this program is aimed at reducing pollution in storm water runoff that discharges from regulated MS4s into waters of the State by requiring regulated MS4 Operators like the City of Canton to obtain permit coverage and implement its own local Storm Water Management Program.
Since 2003, the City of Canton has had permit coverage under the NPDES Storm Water Program. The permit required the submission of a written Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) to Ohio EPA describing how the City will comply with permit requirements in an effort to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff. By reducing pollutants in storm water runoff discharging from the City’s MS4s, the quality and integrity of our local creeks, lakes, ponds, and other water bodies are improved. This improved water quality ultimately results in better drinking water, cleaner recreational activities, and healthier fish and other aquatic life!
Public Input Is Welcomed
Please call the City’s Storm Water Management Program’s primary contact, Chris Barnes, at 330-438-6908 for questions or comments about the program. One important aspect of the City’s Storm Water Management Program is public education and outreach on storm water impacts. Please view the Storm Water Education page to learn more about storm water management and ways you can help to improve the quality of Canton’s creeks, lakes, and other water resources.