Facilities Management
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Stormwater Management

Welcome to James Madison University's stormwater management website provided by the Engineering Department of Facilities Management. Here you will find general information about the stormwater management plan that the University is implementing as well as links to a variety of sites related to water quality and stormwater management.

General Information

What is stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly into places like Newman Lake, Blacks Run or Siberts Creek. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies that flow through our community.

What is stormwater management?
Stormwater management is the process of controlling stormwater runoff for the purpose of reducing erosion, water quality degradation and flooding. Stormwater management control measures are often referred to as Best Management Practices (BMP). BMP's can either be structural or nonstructural measures taken to mitigate changes to both the quantity and quality of runoff.

How can we improve stormwater quality?
Stormwater pollution can be controlled if everyone plays a part in managing stormwater runoff. The most effective way to reduce stormwater pollution is to prevent pollutants from entering the system in the first place.

A few things you can do to help prevent stormwater pollution:

  • Never dump anything down storm drains
  • Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in a driveway or parking lot
  • Promptly repair vehicle and equipment leaks
  • Clean up pet waste and dispose it in the garbage or flush it down the toilet
  • Properly dispose household waste
  • Utilize campus recycling programs

NOTE: If you observe any dumping to a storm drain please notify the JMU Stormwater Coordinator at 568-4201.

EPA Regulations
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated that certain communities create a Stormwater Management Plan under the Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The program is intended to improve water quality by reducing the discharge of pollutants from storm water runoff into local storm drains, rivers, ponds, streams and other receiving waterbodies.
James Madison University is one of the communities affected by this Phase II rule in Virginia. In order to comply with the Permit Program, a plan has been developed which is comprised of the following six elements:

1. Public Education and Outreach
2. Public Participation/Involvement
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
5. Post Construction Runoff Control
6. Municipal Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

To learn more about what JMU is doing to reduce their contribution to stormwater pollution you may view the entire plan here: JMU MS4 Program Plan

If you have feedback regarding the plan or for more information contact:

Abe Kaufman
Stormwater Coordinator
University Services Building
Room 222, MSC 7004
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Telephone: (540) 568-4201
Email: kaufmaat@jmu.edu

Web Links

Local Organizations

JMU Recycling Information
http://facmgt.jmu.edu/web/operations/recycling

City of Harrisonburg - Stormwater Management Program
http://www.ci.harrisonburg.va.us/index.php?id=453

City of Harrisonburg - Cleanstream Website
http://www.cleanstream.org/

Blacks Run - Downtown Clean Up Day
http://www.harrisonburgva.gov/index.php?id=1134

Shenandoah Valley Pure Water Forum
http://www.purewaterforum.org/

Valley Conservation Council
http://www.valleyconservation.org/

Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River
http://www.fnfsr.org/


Educational Information

EPA - Stormwater Education Resources
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwatermonth.cfm

EPA - Publications and Information
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/pubs.html

EPA - "After the Storm" Materials
http://www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/

DCR - Nonpoint Source Pollution Information
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_&_water/nps.shtml

The Chesapeake Bay Program - Urban Stormwater Information
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/stormwater.htm


Virginia Stormwater Management Program

DCR - Virginia Stormwater Management Program
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_&_water/stormwat.shtml

EPA - Stormwater Program Requirements
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/permreq.cfm

DEQ - VPDES Stormwater Permitting
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/vpdes/permitfees.html

DCR - Virginia Adopt a Stream Program
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_&_water/adopt.shtml

DEQ - State Water Regulations
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/waterregs.html

DEQ - State Water Quality Standards
http://www.deq.state.va.us/wqs