Water Quality Management Plan - Information and Plan
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 and 2002.
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.
