When stormwater drains off a construction site, it carries sediment and other pollutants that harm lakes, streams, and wetlands. According to the 1996 National Water Quality Inventory, stormwater runoff is a leading source of water pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 20 to 150 tons of soil per acre are lost every year to stormwater runoff from construction sites. Many studies indicate that controlling erosion can significantly reduce the amount of sedimentation and other pollutants transported by runoff from construction sites.

In order to reduce stormwater pollution during and after construction, site owners and operators are required to create and adhere to a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The City of Rochester conducts regular inspections to ensure construction sites are in compliance with stormwater best management practices.

Resources

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

• Minnesota's Stormwater Manual
• Stormwater Program for Construction Activity
• Stormwater Compliance Assistance for Small Construction Operators (updated 2018)

Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) Website

An organization comprised of contractors, suppliers, engineers and government agencies. Our goal is to promote effective erosion control and storm water management through: an annual erosion conference, regional workshops and seminars, a semi-annual newsletters, and coordinating field demonstrations.

City of Rochester

• Grading Ordinance 4-1-3
• Single Residential Lot Grading Checklist (updated 2014)
• Subdivision and Non-Residential Grading Checklist (updated 2017)
• Stormwater Pond Maintenance Inspection Checklist

Erosion & Sediment Control Practices (MPCA Stormwater Manual)

Ensure Compliance:

• Stabilized Vehicle Entrances
• Inlet Protection
• Perimeter Controls
• Waste Receptacles
• Concrete Washout Sites
• Site Stabilization (MPCA Stormwater Manual)

Stabilized Vehicle Entrances

Vehicles leaving construction sites track sediment onto adjoining roadways. This sediment can create serious safety hazards as well as contribute significantly to sediment pollution problems in waterways. Stabilized vehicle entrances are typically an area covered by 6 inches of rocks (ranging in size from 1.5 to 3 inches) that remove mud from the tires of vehicles as they exit the building site and enter the street. Sediment tracked offsite must be removed within 24 hours of discovery to prevent it from being washed away by stormwater and to avoid a safety hazard. It is important to note that street sweeping to remove sediment tracked to the street is required, but it is NOT an alternative to having a stabilized vehicle entrance.

Inlet Protection

The goal of stormwater inlet protection is to trap sediment from a construction site before it enters an inlet. This will keep sediment from being transported to lakes or streams and can also prevent clogging of the inlet caused by heavy sediment loads. A stormwater inlet refers to manholes, catch basins, curb inlets and other drop-type structures constructed to direct stormwater into storm sewers or other underground drainage systems. Inlet protection best management practices (BMPs) are fairly inexpensive, easy to construct, and if maintained properly can successfully reduce sediments from entering our waterways. Inlet protection BMPs should be installed prior to any soil disturbance taking place where stormwater systems are in place or as soon as storm sewer systems are constructed and inlets begin collection stormwater.

Perimeter Controls

Perimeter control is a method of sediment control best management practices (BMPs) that acts as a barrier to retain sediment on a construction site. Sediment control BMPs are intended to slow and hold stormwater, filter runoff, and promote the settling of sediment out of runoff. The perimeter sediment control BMPs must be established before any land disturbing activities begin and must remain in place until final stabilization has been established. Silt fence is a commonly known method of perimeter control; however, other types of perimeter controls exist that can be equally or even be more effective depending on the construction site circumstances. Examples of other BMPs include: ditch checks, rock logs, compost/sod berms, and existing vegetation.

Waste Receptacles

Construction sites are required to properly dispose of solid waste and hazardous materials. Collected sediment, asphalt and concrete millings, floating debris, paper, plastic, fabric, construction and demolition debris and other wastes must be collected and disposed of properly and must comply with MPCA disposal requirements. Waste receptacles should be covered to prevent the wind from causing unintentional litter. Products that have the potential to leach pollutants into stormwater must be covered by plastic sheeting or temporary roofs. Hazardous materials and toxic waste must be properly stored in sealed containers to prevent spills and leaks.

Concrete Washout Sites

The chutes of concrete mixers and hoppers of concrete pumps are typically rinsed out after delivery of concrete. Tools, hand mixers and wheel barrows are also washed to prevent damage to the equipment. Hardened concrete is relatively benign. However, liquid concrete wash water is a caustic material due to a high pH and it contains hazardous metals such as chromium. These materials can leach into the ground and contaminate groundwater. The high pH can inhibit plant growth and harm aquatic life if the runoff migrates to a lake or stream. Solids from liquid waste that are improperly disposed of can clog storm drain pipes and cause flooding. Washout facilities are used to contain all concrete and liquid wash water generated by the construction activity. Liquid and solid washout wastes must be contained in a leak-proof container and cannot contact the ground. The washout containers should be covered to prevent exposure to rainfall and potential overflow. Washout facilities should also be used for cleaning other cementitious (cement-like) construction materials from tools and equipment such as stucco, mortar, plaster and grout. Depositing the wash water into a container allows evaporation and hardening to occur for easier disposal and to prevent runoff of liquids.

• Public Works Plan Review Application
• Public Works Plan Review Application Checklist
• Public Works Plan Review Submission Standards

Urbanized areas are associated with activities that contribute pollutants to stormwater runoff, such as application of anti/deicing compounds, vehicle fueling, spills, landscaping and lawn maintenance, and application of pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, urbanized areas are characterized by large amounts of impervious surfaces, such as streets, driveways, roof tops, parking lots and sidewalks. Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces travels faster and in larger quantities, which results in damage to rivers, streams and wetlands; destruction of aquatic habitats; and elevated pollutant levels reaching surface waters. Impervious surfaces also inhibit infiltration and subsequent groundwater recharge. Local public entities that own or operate a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) in urbanized areas play a key role in preventing or reducing the negative impacts stormwater runoff may have on Minnesota’s valuable water resources. Thus, the City of Rochester is required by law to manage stormwater runoff in order to restore and protect surface waters.

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (MS4 Permit)

The MS4 General Permit is designed to reduce the amount of sediment and pollution that enters surface and ground water from storm sewer systems to the maximum extent practicable. Stormwater discharges associated with MS4s are subject to regulation under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System. Through the MS4 General Permit, the City of Rochester is required to develop a stormwater pollution prevention program (SWPPP) that incorporates best management practices (BMPs) applicable to our MS4.

A municipal separate storm sewer system is a conveyance or system of conveyances (roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, storm drains, etc.) that is also:

• owned or operated by a public entity (which can include cities, townships, counties, military bases, hospitals, prison complexes, highway departments, universities, etc.) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, stormwater, or other wastes, including special districts under State law such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage districts, or similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal organization, or a designated and approved management agency under section 208 of the Clean Water Act that discharges to waters of the United States;
• designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater;
• which is not a combined sewer; and
• which is not part of a publicly owned treatment works.

Federal Level: Environmental Protection Agency

State Level: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Local Level: City of Rochester Stormwater Management

source: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/municipal-stormwater-ms4

MS4 Permit Status

The City of Rochester is operating under the 2020 MS4 general permit.  Coverage was issued to the City on November 18, 2021. 

Under the 2020 permit, the City must implement the activities outlined in these documents:

• The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) Document 
  • Supporting Work Plans for the SWPPP Document
    • Environmental Education Plan - MCM 1
    • The Waste Load Allocations Summary Table
    • Nondegradation Review

Annual Report Presentations

• 2018 Annual Report Presentation 
• 2017 Annual Report Presentation
• 2016 Annual Report Presentation
• 2015 Annual Report Presentation
• 2014 Annual Report Presentation
• 2013 Annual Report Presentation

Stormwater Management Plans 

Stormwater Management Plans are technical documents that describe stormwater conveyance and water quality treatment needs associated with new development.

1999 Rochester Stormwater Management Plan

• All Appendixes
• All Figures
• Map 1 - Stormwater Drainage Map
• Map 2 - Trunk Storm Sewer Map
• Cascade Township, Section 7
• 2004 Bear Creek Addendum
• 2004 Hadley Valley Addendum
• 2004 Northwest Territory Addendum

1991 Rochester Mayo Run

• Management Plan
• Topography and Drainage

2003 South Zumbro Capital Improvement Project (Olmsted County)

Ordinances 

Quick-links to popular stormwater related ordinances can be found on this page. This is not a complete list of ordinances. Please refer to the official City of Rochester Ordinances for the complete list.

• Encroachments
  • When people conduct unauthorized activities on public land or in legally platted drainage easements it is called encroachment. Follow this link for more information about encroachments and the revocable permit process.
• Illicit Discharge & Stormwater Discharge
  • Rochester Code of Ordinances 6-4
• Grading
  • Rochester Code of Ordinances 4-1
• Stormwater Utility Fee
  • Rochester Code of Ordinances 12-7 - Stormwater Utility
  • 2015 Stormwater Utility Resolution
  • Rochester Code of Ordinances 6-3 - Wetlands Conservation
  • Olmsted County: Wetland Conservation Ordinance