Stormwater

Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. Water flowing off of construction sites, agricultural fields, lawns, roofs, parking lots, and roads pick up pollutants like soil particles, petroleum products, pesticides, herbicides, pathogens, and heat; carrying pollutants to rivers, streams, and lakes. This, in turn, degrades water quality and aquatic habitat, sometimes rendering surface water unsafe for human contact and unfit for aquatic life.

Starting in the 1990s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started issuing NPDES permits for stormwater discharges including municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). Permitted entities are responsible for a number of factors to mitigate and minimize stormwater impacts such as tracking and removing illicit discharges, educating the public on stormwater issues, implementing low impact design, and adopting ordinances to decrease stormwater impacts. The Cities of Muskegon, Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, and Roosevelt Park as well as Muskegon County Drain Commissioner and County Road Commission, have teamed up to form the Muskegon Area Municipal Stormwater Committee (MAMSWC) to tackle these issues on a watershed-wide basis. Since the founding of this group, the Muskegon Conservation District has worked with local stakeholders to play a vital role in helping permitted entities go above and beyond permit requirements whether it be designing and installing rain gardens or developing stormwater ordinances, The District has been able to work with permittees to accomplish the task at hand.

Please help us keep our storm drains clean and pollutant free!

Report any illicit discharge into the storm drains.

An illicit discharge is any discharge into a storm drain system that is not composed entirely of storm water. The substance or materials found in the discharge are considered pollutants. These materials include but are not limited to: detergents, fertilizers/ pesticides, fuels, animal waste, plant waste (ex: grass clippings), salt, sediment, solvents, and other chemicals that require a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
For discharges believed to be hazardous substance or material, call 911, to contact the Muskegon County Hazmat team.
If not a major health concern, please call your local department of public works ASAP so they can begin the investigation process within their sewage system:
City of Muskegon: (231) 724-4100
Muskegon Heights: (231) 733-8870
North Muskegon: (231) 744-1621
Norton Shores: (231) 799-6803
Roosevelt Park: (231) 755-3721
Muskegon Water Resource Commission (231) 724-6219
Muskegon Road Commission (231) 788-2381

If you are having trouble getting ahold of a municipality staff member, please call the Muskegon conservation District at (231) 828-5097.