Stormwater

About Storm Water Management

In years past, most communities across the nation "managed" storm water by directing the water through a system of pipes and ditches that eventually emptied into local tributaries. Little regard was given to the environmental consequences of this system. Today, scientific understanding has lead to the recognition that storm water is one of the largest contributors to water pollution worldwide.

The purpose of the Storm water Management is to promote public health, safety and welfare by maintaining and improving the quality of receiving waters for the City of Tahlequah. 

If you witness or discover illegal dumping or conditions that have an adverse affect on your local creeks or streams, Please contact us immediately.

6 Requirements of the Storm Water Program

1. Public Education and Outreach Program: A program designed to address the need of educating the public and reaching out to those most affected by poor Storm Water quality.
2. Public Participation and Involvement: Assists in the development of programs designed specifically for volunteer groups.
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: Locate and eliminate any discharges which negatively impact the streams, creeks, and bodies of water in Tahlequah.
4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control: We require permits for development and construction which ARE enforced. This helps ensure that sediment and erosion controls specified are in place during the construction process. A list of Best Management Practices will be provided in order to help keep compliance issues to a minimum.
5. Post-Construction Management in New Development and Redevelopment: Ensures that the specified permanent controls are in place after the construction process is finished. This area of emphasis also includes a program that will be implemented and enforced in order to address runoff from new development and redevelopment projects.
6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping: The eventual reduction and prevention of polluted runoff from municipal operations, conveyances and properties owned or maintained by the City.

City of Tahlequah Requirements

Like many other small cities across the nation, the City of Tahlequah is required to have a permit to discharge storm water into the Illinois River. Permit compliance through Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality requires the City to develop, implement, and enforce a storm water management program. This program is designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from our municipal storm sewer system and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the United States Clean Water Act. Clean water is necessary to protect human and environmental health.