Stormwater

What is Storm Water?

As rain falls to the ground or snow melts in the spring, it becomes storm water.  On pervious surfaces such as grass, fields, or other natural areas, the water soaks into the ground without running off into local bodies of water.  Storm water on impervious surfaces like, roofs, driveways, streets, and sidewalks, the water runs off into local bodies of water or storm water ponds through a network of storm water pipes..  This runoff can have negative effects on the local water system including: increased flooding, decreased water clarity, stress on local habitat, and thermal pollution.   

What is Hudson Doing?

The City is doing several items to protect surface waters:

  • Hudson implemented a storm water management plan in 2017 that provides guidance in regards to storm water discharge quality.
  • The City of Hudson updated the City ordinances for erosion control, post-construction storm water management and illicit discharge.  Chapter 240 Storm Water Management, was approved by the Common Council on April 10, 2017.  
  • The City is a member of Rain to Rivers, which is a consortium of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) permittees that are regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The group provides informational and educational programs regarding storm water runoff and keeping surface waters clean. 
  • The City is required to submit a MS4 Annual Report to the WDNR that documents the city's storm water program. 

MS4 WDNR Permit

Communities with a populations over 10,000 are required to obtain a permit from the WDNR to before discharging storm water into streams, lakes, and rivers.  These permits are required by federal and state laws and are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).  Hudson became an MS4 community in 2017.

As part of the permit, the City of Hudson must meet requirements in the following 6 areas:

  1. Public Education and outreach
  2. Public participation and involvement
  3. Illicit discharge, detection, and elimination
  4. Construction site runoff control
  5. Post-construction maintenance
  6. Pollution Prevention

Funding

The storm water program is funded through a storm water utility.  Storm water fees are collected on a quarterly utility bill and are paid by businesses and residents.

SPILL REPORTING

If you notice an illicit discharge or any substance other than rain water coming out of a storm water pipe, please contact the proper authorities immediately. For hazardous spills and emergency situations, please call the WDNR spill emergency hotline at 1-800-943-0003. For non-emergent spills, please contact the Director of Public Works at 715-716-5746, or the Storm Water Inspector at 715-781-2685.

Interactive Public Storm Water Facility Map


https://arcg.is/iaSDi