Environmental Stormwater Quality

The goal of the Construction Site Discharge Control (CSDC) program is to minimize the impact of sediment, erosion, and construction debris on the roadway and storm drain system. To meet this goal the following is required for all construction activities in the right-of-way:

• Designated Responsible Person;
• Properly selected, installed, and maintained
  Best Management Practices (BMPs);
• Temporary Highway Use (Right--of-Way) Permit and other plans and permits depending on the activity performed.

Requirements for Dewatering Permits of uncontaminated water vary depending on the situation. Analytical testing, site specific narrative and map detailing project may be required.

More About Erosion Control

The Monitoring Program consists of several monitoring projects throughout Ada County to comply with NPDES permit requirements. These monitoring projects provide information on the quality and quantity of stormwater and non stormwater flows, like irrigation and groundwater that discharge from the storm drain system into the Boise River and other surface waters.

Stormwater Monitoring

ACHD currently operates eight stormwater monitoring stations – six in the City of Boise, one in the City of Eagle, and one in the City of Meridian. Monitoring stations have equipment that measures flow in the storm drains and collects samples of stormwater when it rains. A network of nine rain gauges provides local precipitation data to support the monitoring efforts in these areas.

• NPDES Stormwater Phase I Monitoring Annual Report
• NPDES Stormwater Phase II Monitoring Annual Report
• Stormwater Monitoring Fact Sheet

ACHD reports annually on the various programs implemented to comply with NPDES requirements. In addition, program plans have been developed and are updated regularly.

More About Requirements and Resources

GSI refers to stormwater systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspire, and/or reuse stormwater runoff on site. The GSI techniques address both the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff to achieve surface water quality improvement.

More About Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that does not immediately soak into the ground. Instead, stormwater flows across hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt pavement, or roofs and can pick up pollutants like lawn chemicals, automobile oil and grease, airborne dust and sediment, and pet waste.

Unlike the water we use in our homes, stormwater does not go to a wastewater treatment plant. Instead, stormwater flows directly to the Boise River or seeps into the groundwater.

What Can You Do?

Dumping substances into the storm drain is against the law. If you see someone dumping a substance down a storm drain, get as much information as possible. Location, time of incident, and any identifying characteristics of the vehicle or company involved (if applicable) so the problem can be responded to effectively.

Call the Stormwater Pollution Prevention hotline at 208-395-8888

If you have a blocked storm drain, contact ACHD Maintenance at 208-387-6350.