Stormwater Quality Management & MS4

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) designated the City of Hobart as a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) and is required to comply with a state-issued stormwater permit (INR040130). Hobart is implementing a program to prevent stormwater pollution and improve the water quality of local water bodies.

The Stormwater Quality Management Plan describes every aspect of Hobart’s MS4 program and how it is implemented. Annual Reporting of certain measures and goals is required to be submitted to IDEM.

  • Stormwater Quality Management Plan
  • Annual Report
  • City of Hobart Notice of Intent

As part of the MS4 Program, Hobart adopted Chapter 152 to protect stormwater. Only pure rainwater should enter storm drains or surface waters. The ordinances prohibit illicit connections and discharges to the storm sewer and illegal dumping. The ordinances also regulate stormwater detention, water quality, and construction and post-construction practices.

Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE)

What is an Illicit Discharge?

An illicit discharge is an unlawful act of disposing, dumping, spilling, emitting, or other discharge of any substance other than stormwater into the stormwater drainage system. Illicit discharges are generally any discharge into a stormwater drainage system that is not composed of entirely of stormwater and are defined in Chapter 152 of the City of Hobart Municipal Code as anything that causes or contributes to pollution The stormwater drainage system includes streets, ditches, catch basins, yard inlets, and streams. Illicit discharges are a problem because stormwater generally flows to waterways without any additional treatment.

Examples of Illicit Discharge include:

  • Spills that may contain containments harmful to the environment
  • Uncontrolled, muddy construction runoff
  • Paint being poured into or near the stormwater drainage system
  • Improper disposal of oil, pesticides, dirt, fertilizer, and other materials
  • Changing oil or antifreeze over or near a storm structure
  • Washing vehicles where the runoff could drain into the storm drainage system
  • Washing dumpster pads and allowing the runoff to drain into the storm drainage system
  • Dumping of any kind in to the street or into the storm drain
  • Dumping grass clippings into a stormwater basin or inlet or into the street
  • Floor drain or household grey-water drain (laundry or sink drain) that is connected to a storm drain
  • A septic tank discharge pipe that is connected to a storm drain or drains directly into a waterway or an improper connection between a storm sewer and sanitary sewer

Report the following items immediately:

  • Oily Sheen or Colored Liquids
  • Chemical or Sewage Smell
  • Foam

Spills happen and we can help clean them up, but intentional discharging is illegal and harmful to our streams and lakes. If you see activities that threaten the health of the local waterways, report it to the City of Hobart in person at the Hobart Sanitary and Stormwater District office located at City Hall, by calling 219-943-3619, via email at tkingsland@cityofhobart.org or via our online Water Quality Web link: http://operation-ms4.com/ms4_V4.0/locateinquiry.php?AUTHORITY=CITYOFHOBART 

To report a large spill or emergency situation please immediately contact the City of Hobart Fire and Police departments by dialing 911.

TIP! If possible, collect as much information as you can about the spill/incident, including date and time, a description of what you observed, including potential quantity dumped, and a few photos, which will help City Staff identify the problem and determine the most appropriate plan of action. City staff understands the need for confidentiality, so reports can be anonymous.

Improving Stormwater Quality

Residents can help alleviate stormwater pollution in several ways:

  • Practice dry cleanup methods when cleaning your driveway or sidewalk. Use cat litter to soak up leaked oil, which can then be thrown away in the trash once dry.
  • Use phosphorus-free lawn fertilizers. Phosphorous runoff from lawns encourages algae growth in our lake.
  • Clean up immediately after your pets and throw the waste into the trash or in the toilet.
  • Dispose of lawn waste in compost piles and use a mulching mower.
  • Increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces to reduce polluted runoff.
  • Do not wash cars, RVs, or boats at home because the detergent laden water runs into storm drains and then into our waterways. Use a full or self service car wash when practical.

Stormwater Quality Management

Permits, Developer Instructions, and Post BMP’s

The purpose of stormwater management control is to reduce the pollutants from storm water runoff that originates from construction and post construction activities. The City of Hobart is required to have procedures for plan review of construction plans that consider potential water quality impacts.

The City of Hobart requires construction site operators to develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan, or SWPPP, for their storm water discharges. A SWPPP is broader in scope than an erosion and sediment control plan or site plan.

The SWPPP requires post-construction storm water control measures to be submitted and approved as part of the site review construction plans. Post-Construction Narratives are required before completion of the project. The narrative describes the maintenance guidelines for all post-construction storm water quality measures to facilitate their proper long-term function.

For information regarding application requirements, please contact the MS4 Coordinator at 219-942-3619.