Background Information
Charles County NPDES MS4 Annual Reports
- 2007 NPDES MS4 Annual Report
- 2006 NPDES MS4 Annual Report
- 2005 NPDES MS4 Annual Report
- 2004 NPDES MS4 Annual Report
- 2003 NPDES MS4 Annual Report
Pollutant Discharges
More Information
Contact the Charles County Planning Division at 301-645-0540 or email.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Sewer Permit Program
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Sewer Permit Program
Stormwater runoff is rainfall or melting snow that flows over the land or through pipes and stormwater management facilities into streams, rivers, wetlands and estuaries. Polluted and excessive stormwater runoff from suburban and urban land is a leading cause of poor water quality. Stormwater runoff containing pollutants such as landscaping fertilizer, heavy metals and oils from vehicles, and sediment from eroding land, and that is warmer due to loss of tree shade creates unlivable conditions for fish and other aquatic life in streams, rivers and the Bay. Ultimately, untreated stormwater can cause loss of aesthetics, harm to wildlife, groundwater contamination and human health problems.
Because polluted stormwater is a national concern, in 1972 Congress mandated amendments to the Federal Clean Water Act requiring the implementation of controls designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed by storm water runoff into local water bodies.
Under the amendments to the Clean Water Act certain jurisdictions are required to obtain NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permits. Categories of permitted jurisdictions include small Urbanized Areas as defined by the Census Bureau, (with some additions and exceptions), medium (population of 100,000 to 249,999) and large (population >250,000). Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website for more information on the NPDES Permit Program.
Pollutant Discharge Program
Charles County implements a program to investigate situations where pollutants, or harmful substances, may be entering the storm sewer system, which then may flow into nearby streams and cause harm to aquatic life. The investigation process is initiated by a report of a possible release of harmful substance to the Charles County Water Quality Control Coordinator, (located in the Department of Planning and Growth Management,) and is followed up by referral to the appropriate agency. The agency then contacts the property owner and a site visit is conducted. If a harmful substance is found, the investigator proceeds to work with the owner to stop its release and solve the situation according to set procedures of their agency. The County’s regulations regarding Water Quality Control are located in the Stormwater Management and Storm Drainage Ordinance, Section 13.0.
Numbers to Call to Report Suspected Pollutant Discharges
If you suspect a harmful substance is being released into the storm sewer system please contact the Charles County Water Quality Control Coordinator as soon as possible at 301-645-0540. This number is only staffed during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), so if you suspect a harmful substance is going into the storm sewer system during non-business hours, please call the Maryland Department of the Environment’s toll-free 24-Hour emergency number for pollution problems in Maryland at 866-633-4686, or 866-MDE-GOTO.