Public Works

Stormwater

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The Stormwater and Environmental Compliance Division is responsible for monitoring the City's stormwater quality and maintaining the storm drain system.

Stormwater runoff is generated from rain or excess water over land or impervious surfaces, such as streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, that is not able to soak into the ground. As a result, stormwater runoff can pick up and deposit pollutants such as trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our ocean and coastline. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others employ stormwater controls to filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution at its source. The benefits of effective stormwater runoff management can include:

• Protection of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems,
• Improved quality of coastal waters,
• Conservation of water resources,
• Protection of public health, and
• Flood control.

Stormwater Management Plan

The objective of the City’s Stormwater Management Plan is to prohibit non-stormwater discharge and reduce the discharge of pollutants in an effort to limit adverse impact to our ocean and coastal region.

The City’s stormwater management plan aims to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Federal Clean Water Act and the California Waterboard’s State Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. These acts established pollution control programs and water quality criteria recommendations that are critical in our efforts to protect water quality.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program was created in 1972 as a part of the Clean Water Act. The program helps address water pollution by regulating storm drain points of entry that discharge pollutants to our waterways. The Regional Water Quality Board has issued the City of Long Beach, Order No. R4-2021-0105, which renews the municipal NDPES permit.

Stormwater Projects

• Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater (LB-MUST) Project

Contact

• General Questions: stormwater@longbeach.gov
• Storm Water/Environmental Compliance Officer: (562) 570-6383
• Report Storm Drain Dumping: (562) 570-DUMP
• Flood Assistance: (562) 570-2700
• After Hours Contact: (562) 570-2700