Stormwater Regulations :: VBgov.com - City of Virginia Beach

Stormwater Regulations

Stormwater regulations and the MS4 Permit

The Department of Public Works oversees a comprehensive program to control potential stormwater pollution that can flow directly into our local waterways from the City's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The City is regulated under a stormwater permit issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality which allows the City to discharge stormwater from its MS4 system directly into local waterways.

Under this permit, the City must implement a series of programs intended to reduce pollutants entering the MS4 and thereby protecting (and improving) the water quality in the City's waterways. These programs include:

Constructing stormwater management projects that improve water quality
Implementing an erosion and sediment control program for construction sites
Implementing a stormwater management program to control runoff from development areas
Maintaining and operating City-owned facilities, roads, and parking lots to minimize polluted runoff
Controlling the storage and application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer at City facilities and on City property to minimize polluted runoff
Locating and eliminating illicit discharges and improper disposal into the storm sewer system
Inspecting sanitary sewers to prevent leaks into the storm sewer system
Developing and implementing a program to reduce floatable trash in waterways
Implementing programs to prohibit the disposal of used motor vehicle fluids, household hazardous waste, sanitary sewage, grass clippings, leaf litter, and animal wastes into the storm sewers
Coordinating with the Fire Department and other City departments to prevent, contain, and respond to spills that may discharge pollutants into the storm sewer system
Identifying polluted stormwater discharges from industrial and high-risk facilities
Inspecting, operating, and maintaining the storm sewer system and all City-owned stormwater management facilities
Implementing a program to ensure that privately-owned stormwater management facilities are maintained and inspected regularly
Mapping the storm sewer system including each outfall and the area draining to the storm sewer system
Controlling polluted stormwater runoff from all City-owned properties with good housekeeping and pollution prevention measures
Developing and implementing a public education plan to minimize pollutants in stormwater runoff
Conducting stormwater training for municipal employees
Coordinating with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) where the City's storm sewer is interconnected with VDOT's storm sewer
Monitoring stormwater quality
Developing and implementing action plans to reduce pollutants and excess nutrients from entering the Chesapeake Bay and other waterbodies with TMDLs

The Virginia Beach MS4 permit was effective July 1, 2016.

The permit effective from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2021, has been administratively continued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in accordance with the reapplication submitted by the City in December 2020. In January 2022, DEQ has provided a target reissuance date of September 30, 2023, for the City's new MS4 permit. The City implements the activities associated with the MS4 permit in accordance with the MS4 Program Plan. The City submits annual reports documenting progress in implementing the requirements of the permit.