Stormwater Protection & Resources

Stormwater

Stormwater is any precipitation that comes from rain, snow, and ice melt and stormwater runoff results from the water that does not infiltrate into the ground, evaporate, or recharge rivers and lakes. Stormwater can flow off building rooftops, driveways, lawns, streets, parking lots, construction sites, and industrial storage yards. There is a stormwater system in place consisting of storm drains, pipes, and outfalls that are designed to carry rainwater away to prevent flooding. As it flows through the storm drain, stormwater picks up pollutants, trash, and debris. Contaminated stormwater is the most significant contributor of pollutants to Wisconsin's urban waters today. These types of pollutants can harm fish and wildlife populations, kill native vegetation, foul drinking water supplies, and make recreational areas unsafe and unpleasant. It is in the interest of every community to manage its stormwater runoff to protect its residents' health, welfare, and safety and preserve the natural resources. Learn more here.

A Member of the Stormwater Partnership

Sun Prairie is a member of the Madison Area Municipal Storm Water Partnership (MAMSWaP). This collective shares an Individual Permit under the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination (WPDES) program. The City of Sun Prairie and 22 other local municipalities in central Dane County are jointly permitted by WDNR to discharge stormwater to the waters of the state through a stormwater permit or also known as an MS4.

In compliance with the provisions of Chapter 283, Wisconsin Statutes, and Chapters NR 151 and 216, Wisconsin Administrative Code, municipalities in Wisconsin must apply for a stormwater permit to discharge stormwater through a separate storm sewer system into the State's waters. The permit requires that municipalities submit to WisDNR an annual report of activities aimed at complying with the permit's requirements.

The goal of the municipal stormwater discharge permit program is to reduce adverse impacts to water quality in our lakes and streams from urban sources of stormwater runoff.

Like many communities across the country, Sun Prairie faces serious challenges on how to effectively deal with stormwater runoff. Stormwater pollution, which is a serious threat to our environment, can be controlled if everyone takes a part in managing what drains into the streets where they live and work. By looking after your local drain, you can help improve what happens to the groundwater and to the beaches, rivers, and lakes that are so critical to Wisconsin's economy and quality of life.

Report an Illicit Discharge

An illicit discharge is any discharge of a potentially polluting substance that reaches a municipal storm sewer, drainage way, wetland, waterbody, or groundwater.

Examples of potential water pollution or illicit discharges:

Grease or other substances leaking from a dumpster
Paint, automotive fluids, and chemical spills
Carpet cleaning waste or foaming liquids.
Concrete washout water draining from a construction site.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Dane County Land and Water are requesting assistance from the public to report potential pollution to our waters. If you see something other than stormwater or snowmelt draining into a storm drain, please report it using the following link.

https://lwrd.countyofdane.com/illicit-discharges

Adopt a Storm Drain

The goal of the Adopt-A-Storm-Drain program is to build a network of volunteers committed to cleaning the area on and around local storm drains and report back results. Keeping storm drains clean and clear can prevent localized flooding, keep our communities clean, and protect our waters. Municipalities are working hard to clean and maintain these storm drains, but we can’t do it alone.

Find more information about the program and how to sign up here:

https://ripple-effects.com/Adopt-A-Storm-Drain