Background
The protection of our local waterways began when the United States Congress passed the Federal Clean Water Act. This legislation established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program in 1972. The emphasis of this legislation was to protect our local waterways from sanitary sewer discharges. In 1987 an amendment to the Clean Water Act required municipalities to obtain NPDES permits for stormwater discharges into the storm drain system. Shortly thereafter, in 1990, the County of Orange along with the County Flood Control District, and all of the incorporated Orange County cities received a regional NPDES permit. These permits are valid for a five year permit. Since the adoption of the initial permit, subsequent permits have been renewed in 1996, 2002, and 2009. The City of Cypress, and the watersheds that it lies within, are located in the region that is governed by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Board. Cities in northern and central Orange County are also included in the Santa Ana Region.
City of Cypress Program
The City of Cypress has developed an NPDES Stormwater Permit program that is implemented via the formally adopted Local Implementation Plan (LIP). The LIP describes the activities the City performs to comply with the permit requirements. This includes water quality public education programs, maintenance of the municipal storm drain system, enforcement of illegal discharges from residential, commercial, and industrial properties, and the incorporation of design criteria containing water quality protection measures into all new development and redevelopment projects that occur within the City.
New Development/Significant Redevelopment Project
Under the current NPDES permit, all new development and redevelopment projects must incorporate design and construction measures that are intended to minimize the potential of pollutant laden runoff from flowing development projects. This includes both private and public construction projects. These measures are included in a document known as a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP). To learn more about the Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) requirements please scroll down and click on the links below:
Water Quality Management Plan Tools: (Word or PDF formats)
WQMP Informational Bulletin Word PDF
WQMP Template Word Word PDF
WQMP Preparation Manual Word PDF
WQMP Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plan Word PDF
WQMP Checklist Word PDF
WQMP Notice of Transfer of Responsibility Word PDF
What are Best Management Practices (BMPs)?
All new development or significant redevelopment projects must incorporate best management practices (BMPs) into the design of projects. The focus of the BMPs is to prevent and manage the quality of stormwater and urban runoff after construction is completed. For purposes of a Project WQMP, there are three types of BMPs:
(1) Site Design BMPs - Project features that are designed or incorporated into a project to minimize the increase in stormwater runoff from the developed project site. Examples of Site Design BMPs include the use of porous asphalt or pavers, minimizing the use of decorative concrete, and directing roof drains to landscaped areas.
(2) Source Control BMPs - Activities or structures aimed at eliminating or minimizing contact between pollutant sources and rainfall or stormwater/urban runoff. Examples of Source Control BMPs include education, sweeping, litter collection, canopies over fueling islands, awnings or tarps to cover materials stored outdoors.
(3) Treatment Control BMPs - Engineered devices or systems incorporated into the project's drainage system to remove pollutants from runoff before the runoff leaves the project site. Examples of Treatment Control BMPs include vegetated swales, infiltration trenches, detention/retention basins, catch basin filters, and vortex separators.
Below is a list of documents that correspond to the BMPs that should be considered as you prepare your WQMP. Please refer to these BMPs as you prepare your document.
Questions relating to the above documentation should be made to the Department of Public Works at (714) 229-6752.
Low Impact Development (LID) Standards
Current NPDES Permit requirements encourage the inclusion of low impact development (LID) standards into the design of new development or redevelopment projects. These concepts are intended to reduce the amount of impervious areas and prevent stormwater runoff from flowing off of an improved parcel.
If you plan to construct a facility in the City of Cypress, it is suggested that you incorporate LID concepts into the project design. While preparing for the design of your project, please download and review the document “Low
Impact Development for Southern California.”
In summary, this is a manual of practice for LID that provides:
• Details on how to use LID Principles and LID Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce the impacts of land development or re-development on water resources at the project level.
• Guidance for municipalities, land use planners, land developers, consultants, design professionals who prepare stormwater engineering plans and specifications, and others in private industry and public service.
• A site planning and design reference that will facilitate the implementation of LID for projects in Southern California. It is designed to complement the Stormwater BMP Manual(s) that have been developed and are maintained by the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA).
• A tool that can be applied at the site level for the development of integrated water and stormwater management regulatory compliance and resource protection programs.
Green infrastructure refers to a set of practices that mimic natural processes to retain and use stormwater. By promoting infiltration, evapotranspiration, and harvesting throughout the landscape, green infrastructure preserves and restores the natural water balance. To learn more about the various available applications please click on the document:
"Green Infrastructure in Arid and Semi-Arid
Climates"
The Water Quality Management Plan format is currently being revised to address the provisions of the 4th Term NPDES permit which became effective on May 22, 2009. Included in this are components relative to LID. The new draft WQMP template is available for viewing at www.ocwatersheds.com. Upon final approval by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, the new WQMP standards will go into effect. Please be sure to re-visit the website for updated information.
