Stormwater Management

Stormwater and NPDES

Stormwater is water that flows over the ground surface when it rains without being absorbed by vegetation, soil, and other permeable areas. Impervious surfaces like roofs, streets, and sidewalks increase the amount of stormwater that reaches the storm drains. Runoff from roads and lawns can carry pollutants (oil and grease, pesticides, fertilizers, salt, chemicals, etc.) that go untreated, degrading streams and lowering the quality of water. In 1972, the Federal Clean Water Act created the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, allowing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate pollutant discharge from pipes and ditches. For more information regarding stormwater runoff and NPDES see the following links;

Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff

After the Storm

EPA’s Official NPDES page

Center for Watershed Protection

Best Management Practices for Stormwater

MS4 Permit

The Village of Indian Head Park has a separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit and has filed a Notice of Intent to comply with the permit conditions. This permit requires stormwater pollution to be reduced through six minimum control measures:

  1. Public education and outreach
  2. Public involvement and participation
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination - IDDE
  4. Construction site runoff control
  5. Post-construction runoff control
  6. Pollution prevention and good housekeeping

In order to meet these control measures, the Village has created a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). Additionally, the Village files Annual Reports with the IEPA that describe work completed in the past year.

How You Can Help

Residents and businesses can take steps to help protect Indian Head Park’s waterway, Flagg Creek.  To prevent stormwater pollution, avoid dumping anything into storm drains, clean up after your pets, wash vehicles in commercial areas that lead to a sewage treatment plant, install rain gardens, and limit the use of fertilizer and de-icing salt. For more information about stormwater pollution and tips on how you can reduce your impact, see the links below.

Tips to Reduce Stormwater Pollution

IL DNR Rain Garden Instructions

Chicago Botanic Garden - Rain Gardens

Cook County NPDES

10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Stormwater Runoff Pollution

Implications of Climate Change

NASA Climate Change

If you suspect illegal dumping is occurring or there are suspicious discharges from the storm sewer system, please immediately report it here in our Concern & Compliment Portal or call 9-1-1.

Report blockages and debris in streams by calling (312) 787-3575 or by visiting this link.