Stormwater affects every resident of the City. Rainfall flows from the highest points of the City to the lowest, picking up particulates and pollutants until it reaches the sewer system or a waterway. Preventing stormwater runoff at the source help protect property and our watershed.

The City of Forest Hills has coverage under the General NPDES Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). The EPA phase II final rule requires National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage for stormwater discharges from certain small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). In Tennessee, about 100 cities and counties are required to obtain coverage under a stormwater discharge permit and to implement a set of programs to manage the quality of stormwater runoff from their storm sewer systems. The Phase II Stormwater Regulations, found at 40 CFR Part 122, require the City of Forest Hills at a minimum, to develop, implement, and enforce a stormwater management program designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable (MEP), to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act. The stormwater management program shall be based around 6 Minimum Control Measures.

The 6 Minimum Control Measures are as follows:

• Public Education and Outreach

• Public Participation and Involvement

• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

• Construction Site Runoff Control

• Post-construction Runoff Control

• Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

Find out how Forest Hills implements these control measures by reviewing the Stormwater Management Plan.