Stormwater Management

Welcome to Stormwater Management-

If you suspect an illicit discharge into the County stormwater system or waters of the state, immediately call the Enivronmental Comments Line at (404) 294-2007.

The mission of Stormwater Management is to enhance and protect human health, and that of the environment by reducing the number of pollutants that enter the stormwater drainage system to the maximum extent practicable.  DeKalb County's approach involves wide-ranging non-structural damage prevention measures, such as zoning, floodplain management, low impact development, etc. Structural measures include source control to reduce flow amount, velocity and elevation. 

DeKalb County is a Phase I Large Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).  It is therefore required to implement a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) over the term of the NPDES Permit that will eliminate or minimize to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) the discharge of pollutants to the waters of the State from stormwater discharges. 

Structural and Source Control Measures.

• MS4 Structure Inventory - DeKalb County MS4 consists of structures and facilities that are designed to convey and/or store stormwater from source drainage area to outlet points. Currently, the inventory includes catch basins, pipes, ditches and ponds.

Inspection and Maintenance Program.

• The County conducts inspection of all its MS4 inventory over the term of its Permit. It assesses the condition and structural integrity of all structures, and check for any impediment to optimal performance of the structures. Furthermore, the County also conducts routine preventive maintenance on its MS4 structures as needed.

• DeKalb County maintains an inventory of and conducts inspections on municipal facilities not subject to the Industrial General Permit (IGP) that have the potential of causing pollution. 

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program (IDDE).

• The Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) program seek to maintain and enhance the short-term and long-term public health, safety, and general welfare by controlling Illegal connection to, or the discharges of spills, dumping or disposals of materials other than stormwater into DeKalb County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). 

  • IDDE Plan - The County's IDDE Plan delineates procedures to detect and address illicit discharges to the MS4.  The Plans components include Dry Weather Screening (DWS), source tracing and elimination, sample collection, quality assurance/control and enforcement.

To report illegal connection or an illegal discharge to the MS4, call the Environmental Comments Line at 404-294-2007.

Public Education and Community Involvement

• The County conducts public education outreach and encourage community involvement to educate the public about water quality issues within the MS4 and drive behavioral change towards the protection of public health and the environment.

  • Target Audience - Some identified target audience include the following

1.  Development Community - regulatory information.

2. Environmental Community - Water quality issues

3. Neighborhood Associations - Drainage controls, utility fees, regional stormwater treatments, water quality issues etc.

4. Schools/Clubs/Social Organizations - Program participations, volunteering, storm drain marking, etc.

To find out more about our Public Education and Community Involvement opportunities, visit Public Education and Community Involvement.