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1. What is the stormwater charge on my utility bill?

When the Stormwater Utility was created in 2006, a monthly fee was also established to be included on utility bills. The current fee is:
Residential - $7.00/month
Non-residential - $15.00/month
The stormwater fee was established as a stormwater pollution prevention fee to fund implementation of the requirements of the new federal regulations and to institute best management practices to reduce water pollution.

2. Who do I call to report suspected stormwater pollution?

Call the Stormwater Hotline at 620-252-6019.

3. What types of pollutants are found in businesses?

At industrial sites, we need to be concerned about chemical spills that contain toxic substances, smoke stacks that spew emissions and uncovered or unprotected outdoor storage or waste areas that can contribute pollutants to storm water runoff. Best management practices include:
• Wash vehicles or equipment in wash bays hooked up to the sanitary sewer. Don't wash off detergents, oils and greases into streets or storm rains.
• Divert rainfall runoff from fueling islands by building a canopy or cover over them.
• Waste and processed water of any type must be discharged to the sanitary sewer.
• Hosing off pavements wash pollutants into storm drains that lead straight to the river.

4. What can be done to avoid storm water pollution?

• Don't litter
• Don't dump anything except water into a storm drain
• Take all unwanted paint, chemicals, cleaners, fuels, pesticides and hazardous waste to Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 114 N. Wald Avenue, Independence, KS 67301 - 620-331-4139
• Never pour household products such as cleansers, beauty products, used motor oil and other auto fluids, paint, lawn care or household chemicals on the ground or in a storm drain
• Do not pour any of the products listed above down the sink or flush them down the toilet.
• Use non-toxic alternatives to home cleaning chemicals
• Do not buy more household cleaner or other chemicals than you need for a particular job
• Read and follow directions on the use of household chemicals and disposal of containers
• Sweep driveways and patios clean instead of hosing them down
• Check for leaky faucets and turn off the water when brushing teeth to conserve water
• Buy products with less packaging whenever possible
• Clean up after your pet before it rains
• Adequately contain curbside trash so it doesn't leak, fall over or blow around
• Preserve established trees in the yard and neighborhood
• Don't overuse fertilizers and pesticides if you choose to use them
• Plant trees, shrubs and ground covers that filter pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff
• Do not cut the grass too short; adjust the lawnmower to the proper height to reduce runoff from laws
• Plant native vegetation and or plants that require little or no fertilizer
• Do not overwater plants and lawn. Make sure water doesn't wash over streets and sidewalks
• Recycle yard debris, or use it to make compost, instead of raking it into streets where it can wash into storm sewers
• Repair vehicle or equipment leaks
• Recycle used motor oil
• When washing the car, park it on the grass instead of in the driveway or go use a covered carwash station

5. Why was a Stormwater Utility implemented?

On November 14, 2006, Charter Ordinance No. 26 was adopted by the Board of Commissioners establishing a Stormwater Utility in Coffeyville. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to the City effective October 1, 2004, for discharge of stormwater from our Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System to the waters of the United States. This permit was issued as required by the EPA Stormwater Phase 2 Rule, which applies to municipalities with a population greater than 10,000. Phase 1 went into effect in 1990 and applied to municipalities with a population greater than 100,000.

6. Who do I call to report suspected stormwater pollution?

Call the Stormwater Hotline at 620-252-6019.

7. Where can we dispose of pollutants found in the home?

Take all unwanted paint, chemicals, cleaners, fuels, pesticides and hazardous waste to Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 114 N. Wald Avenue, Independence, KS 67301 - 620-331-4139