If you notice someone polluting a waterway or storm drain by illegally dumping, please call 812-663-2138.
Stormwater Information and Background
Polluted stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairment to the nearly 40 percent of surveyed U.S. water bodies which do not meet water quality standards. In fact, in Indiana alone more than 100 million tons of sediment erodes annually from urban and agricultural landscapes. A large amount of this sediment is then transported via stormwater conveyances to surface water bodies. In addition to sediment, automobile fluids, road salts, litter, fertilizers and various other pollutants are carried through municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to surface water bodies. If storm water and its pollutants are not properly managed, destruction of aquatic habitats and threats to public health can result.
As part of the Federal Clean Water Act, EPA, and IDEM regulations, over 200 towns, cities, counties, and universities in the State of Indiana are designated as Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) entities and are required to develop and implement a program to address stormwater quality. The City of Greensburg is one of these entities and is responsible for complying with IDEM’s MS4 General Permit.
Under the MS4 General Permit, Greensburg is required to address the following control measures as part of the City’s MS4 program:
Public Education, Outreach, Participation and Involvement
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Construction Site Stormwater Run-off
Post-Construction Stormwater Run-off
Municipal Operations Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping
Pollution Control
Stormwater quality is important to everyone. Rainwater that falls on streets, parking lots, rooftops, and lawns often becomes polluted by automotive fluids, detergents and chemicals, eroded soils, and lawn fertilizers before it enters the Greensburg storm sewer system through inlets. This polluted stormwater runoff travels through the storm sewers directly into ponds, streams, and rivers without receiving treatment. This affects our ability to use the water for swimming, drinking, fishing, and also degrades the aquatic life habitat. Greensburg is working to reduce the pollutants entering area waterways. The program relies on community involvement to help educate residents about stormwater, clean up areas around streams and rivers, and to identify sources of pollution.
For additional information about stormwater quality and the MS4 General Permit, please refer to these educational resources:
