The State of Michigan issued the University of Michigan (U-M) a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit authorizing storm water discharges from their municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) to waters of the State.
The primary goal of this permit is to protect waters of the State during construction, renovation, and maintenance projects on U-M properties. U-M achieves this goal through its efforts to prevent pollutants from entering surface waters and to manage storm water runoff (volume and discharge rate).
As part of the requirement for the permit, the U-M developed a Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP) to reduce or prevent the discharge of pollutants in storm water. The SWMPP includes the following measures:
- Public education and outreach program(s) on storm water impacts
- Public involvement and participation
- Illicit discharge elimination program for the campus
- Post-construction storm water management program for new development and redevelopment projects
- Construction storm water runoff control
- Pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices for U-M Operations
- Total Maximum Daily Loads
Managing the NPDES Permit and Storm Water Discharge Requirements
Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), Environmental Protection & Permitting Program (EP3) manages the NPDES permit and storm water discharge requirements for the U-M and is the liaison with state and federal regulators regarding all water quality issues. For questions about the storm water permit or additional information on procedures and practices to minimize the discharge of pollutants from campus construction efforts, contact EP3 at (734) 647-1143.
Refer to Storm Water Control Measures for project-specific summaries about U-M storm water control measures.
Developing Storm Water Management Strategies
The Architect, Engineering and Construction (AEC) department is responsible for developing storm water management strategies for construction, renovation, and maintenance projects. For information about U-M storm water management procedures and design deliverables, refer to the document Design Deliverables and search for “storm water.”
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
NOTE: Refer to Environmental Storm Water Management page for additional information about pollution practices at U-M.
- Illicit discharge elimination program for the campus
- Post-construction storm water management program for new development and redevelopment projects
- Construction storm water runoff control
- Pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices for U-M Operations
