S T O R M    W A T E R

Bill Richter
(Public Works Supervisor)
Phone 530.538.2401
Fax 530.328.2426
E-mail maintenance-division@cityoforoville.org

	• Storm Drainage Impact Fees
	• City Storm Drainage Map
	• Report a Problem

Overview
      As properties develop within the City, vegetation is removed and replaced with impervious surfaces. These surfaces include streets, parking lots, and rooftop areas. The amount of storm water runoff after a property develops increase for two reasons: (1) there is less vegetation and exposed ground to soak up the water, and (2) the storm water leaves the property very fast and at higher concentrations because water flows more quickly over concrete surfaces than grassy fields. Urban runoff frequently carries various forms of pollution such as rubbish, animal droppings and dissolved chemicals. This untreated water is carried through a system of underground pipes or overland channels, and eventually discharges directly into creeks and rivers. To accommodate for these impacts, the City requires installation of storm water detention ponds or underground storage tanks to hold back the peak of the storm, and in many instances requires installation of mechanical or biological treatment units to remove trash and other storm water pollutants.

EPA Phase II Storm Water Regulations
      The City Oroville could become part of the Phase II Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Storm Water Regulations Program within the next several years as part of a smaller community designation by the State of California. Those communities permitted under Phase II are required to develop and implement a comprehensive storm water management program that includes six minimum measures to promote storm water pollutant load reduction. These are:

           • Public education - this includes the distribution of educational materials and
              performing outreach to inform citizens of reasons to control storm water
              runoff;

           • Public participation and involvement - this includes providing opportunities for
              citizens to participate in storm water program development and
              implementation;

           • Illicit discharge detection and elimination - this element includes developing
              and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm
              water system;

           • Construction site runoff control - this includes developing, implementing, and
              enforcing a sediment and erosion control program for construction activities;

           • Post-construction runoff control - this element includes developing,
              implementing, and enforcing a program to address discharges of
              post-construction runoff and specifies appropriate storm water treatment
              practices (STPs); and

           • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping - this includes developing and
              implementing a program with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant
              runoff from municipal operations.

      To gain a more in depth understanding of the proposed EPA regulations, please visit their web site and read their proposed regulations:

Environmental Protection Agency Web Site:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes

Report to Congress on the Phase II storm water regulations:
www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/ReptoCong_PhII_SWR.pdf


Regional Detention Basins
      The City or Oroville currently maintains six regional detention basins. These were constructed along different branches of Dry Creek to hold back certain peak storm water events. They are not a substitute for installation of detention facilities for new land developments. The six ponds are identified as follows:

           • Oro Dam Basin
           • Olive Hwy. Basin #1
           • Argonaut Basin
           • Foothill Basin
           • Baldwin Basin
           • Olive Hwy. Basin #2

Storm Water Project	Storm Water Project	Storm Water Project