Stormwater Permit
Under the Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the water quality of stormwater runoff that discharges into local waterways. Stormwater runoff is transported through municipal separate storm sewer systems, referred to as MS4. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, the EPA requires an NPDES permit and a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) that includes the following program elements:
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement/Participation
- Program Effectiveness
- Total Maximum Daily Loads
The MS4 program is divided into phases that are based on population. The 1990 Phase I regulations require that medium and large cities with a population of greater than 100,000 obtain NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges. The 1999 Phase II regulations require that small urban areas obtain similar NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges.
DelDOT has a Phase I Permit that covers all of New Castle County, and a Phase II Permit that covers the urbanized areas of Kent County.
Phase I NPDES Permit Requirements
All of New Castle County was required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to obtain a NPDES permit under the Phase I NPDES regulations. DelDOT is a principal permittee with New Castle County, and a co-permittee with six other municipalities – City of Wilmington, City of Delaware City, City of New Castle, Town of Newport, Town of Elsmere, and Town of Bellefonte.
- Phase I Permit Fact Sheet
- Phase I Permit (Issued May 7, 2013)
- Phase I SWPP&MP (Approved Nov. 9, 2016)
Phase II NPDES Permit
DelDOT also has a Phase II NPDES permit for stormwater discharges in the urbanized area of Kent County, approximately from Felton north to Smyrna. Other Phase II permittees include City of Dover, City of Middletown, City of Newark and the University of Delaware.
Annual Reports
DelDOT is required to submit annual reports summarizing its Phase I and Phase II permit activities to the EPA and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Annual reports are available upon request.
