Stormwater

The Town of Firestone currently holds a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit that is federally mandated and issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). As required by the permit, the Town has implemented a program to manage stormwater quality and mitigate common pollutant sources following a phased approach that includes the minimum control measures listed below.

1.  Public Education and Outreach: Implement a public education program that promotes a reduction in pollutant discharges into the Town’s MS4.

2.  Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: Implement a program that defines illicit discharges, and educates both the public and certain Town staff on detecting and eliminating an illicit discharge.  The program also allows the Town to enforce the requirements of the MS4 Permit which prohibits illicit discharges into the Town’s Mapped Storm Sewer System.

3.  Construction Sites: Implement a program that defines applicable construction activities, and educates owners, developers, and or operators on methods to reduce or prevent the discharge of pollutants to the Town’s MS4. The program allows the Town to enforce the requirements of the MS4 Permit on applicable construction activities that result in a land disturbance of greater than or equal to one acre or that is less than one acre, but is part of a larger common plan of development.

4.  Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment: Implement a program that ensures long-term operation and maintenance of stormwater treatment facilities in order to prevent and/or minimize the impacts of new development and redevelopment to stormwater. This program allows the Town to require the treatment of stormwater that runs off applicable development sites and require that the facilities be properly maintained and operational.

5.  Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations: Implement a program that addresses stormwater pollution during municipal maintenance activities and operations. This allows the Town to prevent or reduce water quality impacts from pollutants in stormwater from Town facilities and operations.

What is Stormwater and How You Can Help?

WHEN IT RAINS, IT DRAINS! Stormwater is rainwater or melted snow that runs off of our streets, lawns, rooftops, and other sites into nearby rivers and streams. In Firestone, our stormwater drains to the St. Vrain River. Unlike wastewater, stormwater enters or waterways untreated and can pick up trash, oil, dirt, excess nutrients, and other pollutants as it travels.

As residents and business owners, there are things that we can do in our everyday activities to help minimize the amount of pollution that drains to the St. Vrain. Click HERE to find out how you can help protect our waterways from excess nutrients and other important polluters.

Illicit Discharges & Spills

An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge to the Town’s stormwater system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, with the exception of a few exclusions. Common illicit discharges include motor oil, grease, antifreeze, dirt/sediment, grass clippings, leaves and paint. To report an illicit discharge or non-emergency spill, please email stormwater@firestoneco.gov or call (303)-531-6289.

Construction Sites & Stormwater Quality

Construction activities associated with land disturbing activities increase the potential for stormwater pollutants to enter our waterways. The Town of Firestone requires construction activities larger than one acre or smaller than one acre but part of a larger common plan of development to first obtain a Stormwater Quality Permit prior to the start of construction. As part of your permit, you will need to develop a Stormwater Management Plan. Please submit your SQP application packet to stormwater@firestoneco.gov.

• Stormwater Quality Permit Application
• Stormwater Quality Permit Control Measures Cost Opinion Worksheet
• Stormwater Management Plan Guide

Public Notice

One of the requirements for maintaining the Town’s MS4 permit is to notify the public of any changes and/or additions to the Town’s program. Each year, the Town Board adopts or reauthorizes several methods for notifying the public, currently notices are found at Town Hall and on the Town’s website. The current resolution authorizing places for public notice is found here.

Program Description Document Availability

The Town is required to maintain a current document, called the ‘Program Description Document’ (PDD), which must be available to residents upon request. The PDD document can be viewed here.

Additional Stormwater Quality Resources

• Colorado Stormwater Council
• Urban Drainage & Flood Control District
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)