Stormwater Management

About

Stormwater Management is a program designed to reduce the pollution of surface water, such as ponds, and state waters such as streams, rivers and lakes. The City of Winona is classified as a "municipal separate storm sewer system", or MS4. Beginning in 2007, Winona created and implemented a stormwater pollution prevention program (SWPPP) as required by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

The SWPPP requires six minimum control measures:

  • Construction site runoff control
  • Illicit discharge, detection and elimination
  • Pollution prevention/good housekeeping
  • Post-construction site runoff control
  • Public education and outreach
  • Public participation/involvement

Winona’s storm sewer system comprises not only the storm drains and storm sewers, but also any channel carrying storm runoff to surface water, including city streets, curbs, gutters, and ditches.

Importance

Stormwater runoff may be a major source of water pollution. Pollution can occur as stormwater runoff collects contaminants or trash. This unwanted runoff can occur from impervious surfaces such as roadways, roofs, parking lots, and sidewalks. Even yards and agricultural fields can add to the pollution if not properly managed.

Some of the pollutants carried in stormwater runoff are obvious, like road salt, oil and grease, dirt and debris. Others are less obvious, such as fertilizers and pesticides, animal waste, and other chemicals.

Here in Winona, between the highly erodable bluffs and the Mississippi River, we are especially vulnerable to erosion and surface water contamination.

Public Involvement

A very important part of the SWPPP is public involvement. We need, and welcome, your participation and suggestions.

Do:

  • Be aware of the stormwater management program
  • Contact us with any comments, questions or suggestions
  • Follow ordinance regulations
  • Properly dispose of all material such as paint, fertilizer, insecticides etc. Contact the Winona County Hazardous Waste depot, located at 225 W 2nd Street or call 507-457-6405
  • Report any violations you observe

Don’t:

  • Allow any improper discharge to the storm sewer system, including streets and gutters, including chemicals or litter
  • "Look away" if you see a violation. This could be chemical or trash dumping, or construction material not contained with a silt fence, for example