Victoria County is responsible for complying with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)'s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) Permit. This permit allows the county to release stormwater into receiving bodies of water within the state of Texas. While the County of Victoria holds primary responsibility for ensuring that the discharged stormwater remains as clean as possible, everyone residing within Victoria County must be mindful of how their actions may negatively impact stormwater quality.
The County has developed a Stormwater Management Plan that outlines methods used to educate the public about stormwater issues, prevent stormwater pollution within the County, and ensure County development adheres to stormwater permit standards. Each required task in the Stormwater Management Plan is referred to as a Best Management Practice (BMP). These BMPs must be completed annually and updated or revised if it is evident that a BMP is ineffective at controlling stormwater pollution.
It is a collective effort by County personnel and County residents to maximize stormwater quality. One of the main challenges in these efforts is that many people do not realize how everyday tasks can negatively impact stormwater quality. Because of this, the County aims to educate the public about stormwater and the harmful effects daily activities can have on stormwater quality. Chores such as lawn care, car maintenance, and common household systems like septic systems can all have detrimental effects on stormwater. Lawn care has been shown to contribute fertilizers and physical contaminants into stormwater drainage systems. If not done mindfully, car maintenance can introduce oil or toxic substances into stormwater runoff. A major contributor to bacterial contamination of stormwater runoff is malfunctioning or overloaded septic systems, as they typically dispose of undertreated effluent onto ground surfaces.
County development usually entails a host of requirements that the developer must comply with. New development sometimes requires a Construction General Permit, which permits a new development to discharge stormwater runoff from the site. The County is responsible for ensuring developers acquire the correct documentation and adhere to TCEQ's Construction General Permit requirements, if applicable. The County will inspect these newly developed sites once a year to check any erosion and sediment controls and runoff controls the site may have implemented. These controls need to be in place to prevent any stormwater pollution from occurring as a result of the construction and site development.
The County's MS4 permit and its requirements, that are completed every year, are preventive measures to protect major receiving bodies of water in the state of Texas from potential negative impacts on water quality. A copy of the MS4 permit and the County's Stormwater Management Plan is available on both the TCEQ and the Victoria County Public Health Department's websites. While stormwater is inevitable, runoff pollution is preventable. The efforts made towards protecting stormwater quality will significantly impact the environment, not only in the County of Victoria but in the state of Texas as a whole.
Bryce is a Stormwater Inspector for the Victoria County Public Health Department. He ensures that the County of Victoria complies with MS4 stormwater regulations, helping protect local waterways and promote environmental health. His work plays a vital role in preserving the natural environment for future generations.
