FAQs • Coppell, TX • CivicEngage

Why is stormwater quality important?: Stormwater can carry litter, sand, bacteria, oil, and other chemicals as it flows to our streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands. Runoff from paved surfaces may contribute to large amounts of polluted stormwater. Cleaning up stormwater not only benefits our neighborhoods and town, it also benefits the entire network of water bodies and land that make up our watershed.

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Stormwater Management

1. What is stormwater?: Stormwater discharges are generated by runoff from land and impervious areas during rainfall. Surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

2. How do I report stormwater pollution?: For emergencies such as an immediate threat to the public, please call 911. For all others, please call Environmental Health at 972-462-5177 or email Environmental Health.
Non-Emergency Request for Service

3. How can grass and leaves be a pollutant since they are found in nature?: Improper disposal of yard waste can be an issue when washed into creeks. This can increase nutrient levels that encourage algae growth and decrease oxygen levels. Both decrease the water quality.

4. Why is stormwater quality important?: Stormwater can carry litter, sand, bacteria, oil, and other chemicals as it flows to our streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands. Runoff from paved surfaces may contribute to large amounts of polluted stormwater. Cleaning up stormwater not only benefits our neighborhoods and town, it also benefits the entire network of water bodies and land that make up our watershed.

5. What agency regulates stormwater quality?

In the City of Coppell, stormwater quality is regulated at the federal level by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state level by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and at the local level by the City of Coppell Environmental Health Division.

As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes do not need an NPDES permit; however, some industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.

6. What is the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System?: In 1987, Congress amended the Clean Water Act to require a comprehensive nationwide program for addressing polluted stormwater. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is the resulting program. The state assumed the authority to administer the NPDES program in Texas and the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) is the resulting program.

7. What does the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit require of the City of Coppell?

The City of Coppell has to develop, implement, and enforce a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). The goals of the Plan are to:

Protect water quality
Reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent possible
Satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act

More Information

For more information, see the current Stormwater Management Plan (PDF).

8. What Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) will the City of Coppell's program include?

Per the TCEQ, Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) General Permit Number TXR040000, the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) must provide a listing and description of best management practices (BMP’s) developed to prevent stormwater pollution to the maximum extent practicable. BMP’s are required to be developed to satisfy five stormwater quality minimum control measures: