Best Management Practices
In 1999 the City became regulated under Phase II of the Clean Water Act to improve water quality and protect rivers, streams, and drinking water resources. The City operates the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permitted by the Dept. of Natural Resources. For permit compliance, the City implements a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) to reduce pollutants from being carried by runoff into local waterbodies.
The SWMP must address six minimum control measures:
- I. Public Education and Outreach
- Distribute materials and conduct outreach about the impacts of stormwater discharges on waterbodies and the steps the public can take to reduce pollutants.
- II. Public Involvement and Participation
- Actively involve the public in the development and implementation of the plan to reduce pollution through community groups and activities.
- III. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Detect and eliminate illegal discharges and dumping into storm drains and streams. We maintain a map of streams, inventory and inspect storm drains.
- IV. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
- Implement and enforce a program requiring Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutants from construction activities. BMPs focus on erosion and sediment control and construction waste.
- V. Post-Construction Storm Water Management
- Ensure that structural and non-structural BMPs are in place to prevent or minimize long-term water quality impacts from new and redevelopment projects. BMPs include stormwater ponds, filtering and infiltration practices, credits to encourage low-impact development and more.
- VI. Pollution Prevention for Municipal Operations
- Implement an operation and maintenance program and training to prevent or reduce pollutants in runoff from municipal operations.
We Welcome Your Feedback
Please share any feedback or input on the City’s Stormwater Management Plan. If you have questions or comments, please contact us. Your input will be used to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program as well as help develop future programs, priorities and outreach strategies.
Environmental Compliance
Wentzville works with property owners, businesses and other stakeholders to increase awareness of stormwater issues. Here are some tools our community uses to help prevent stormwater pollution:
- Learn how to identify stormwater pollution
- Concerns Hotline – Easily report pollution 24 hours a day.
- Homeowner Assistance – Contact us for questions or guidance on stormwater in your yard or common ground areas.
- Ordinances Relating to Stormwater
- Household Hazardous Waste Collections
- Recycling and Yard Waste Programs – Take advantage of Wentzville’s residential programs including two free special trash pickups each year (spring and fall) for large bulky items, electronics, and construction/remodeling waste.
- Street Sweeping – To catch litter and debris before it enters storm drains, main streets are swept twice monthly and subdivision streets are swept once per quarter.
Clean Water – It’s Everyone’s Business.
The source of our drinking water (rivers and streams) starts at your front door. By keeping litter, chemicals, and yard waste out of street gutters and storm drains, you are preventing stormwater pollution – since these drain directly into a nearby lakes, streams or wetlands. Remember: only rain should go down the storm drain.
Make Your Home a Solution to Pollution!
Here are some simple steps to make your piece of the planet a healthier place to live:
Mud & Trash
- Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and roads into grassy areas instead of using a hose.
- Keep a trash/litter bag in your car
- Bag trash to prevent it from blowing away during trash collection and transportation to the landfill. (Remember recycling should never be bagged).
- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
Wentzville Recycling & Waste Management
Local Recycling Centers
Paint & Chemicals
- Wash latex paintbrushes in the sink or toilet, not in the street or near storm drains.
- Use Recycle Works to get rid of oil, grease, paint, pool chemicals, batteries and more!
- Pet Waste: Pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste in the toilet or trash
- Auto Care: Soap, salt, mud, and oil can end up in our streams.
- Check for and repair fuel and oil leaks. Clean up spilled auto fluids.
- Go to a car wash or wash your car on the lawn with non-phosphorous, biodegradable soap. (Car washes dispose soapy water into sanitary sewers.)
Lawn Care
– Reduce streambank erosion by helping slow runoff down and soaking it in.
– Use native plants with deep root systems that work harder than sod and require less water and fertilizer.
Header text
Why Native Plants?
Water-Smart Landscaping Guide
Native Plants for Your Landscape
Native Landscaping Manual (includes plant suppliers and landscapers)
Rain Garden Guide
Rain Gardening for Stormwater Management
How to Build and Install a Rain Barrel
Other Publications
– Keep yard waste and grass clipping piles away from stream banks and storm drains to prevent erosion, pollution and storm system blockages.
– Mulch grass clippings to reduce the need to bag, water and weed. Or sign up for yard waste collection by calling (636) 327-5101.
– Limit pesticide and fertilizer use. Apply only the amount recommended. Try Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to reduce the need for chemicals.
– Inspect and pump septic systems every three to five years to operate properly.
Water Quality Facilities
Local businesses and industry play a vital role in pollution prevention. Environmental benefits are not the only reason for incorporating runoff controls into commercial development. You can realize an increase in property values from aesthetically landscaped controls and beautification of areas adjacent to waterways and detention ponds. Commercial property owners also see lower vacancies, lower tenant turnover and higher rental prices.
Make a difference in Wentzville by …
Prevent Pollution — Pick up or sweep litter routinely and clean up chemical spills instead of washing them down a storm drain. Sediment, litter, and chemicals are all potential sources of pollution that impact our local waterways.
Trying Innovative Best Management Practices:
- Alternative Pavers and Porous Pavement
- Infiltration Basins and Trenches
- Bioretention (Rain Gardens)
- Inlet/Catch Basin Inserts
- On-Lot Treatment
Using Low Impact Development (LID) and Other Green Design Strategies, EPA
Integrating low impact site design techniques from the LID Center – treat, store and infiltrate runoff onsite before it affects water downstream.
Understanding the Economic Benefits of Runoff Controls (EPA, 1995)
We’re here to help!
If you’re interested in free stormwater quality assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at (636) 639-2055.
The City can offer resources to help train your employees, and/or a site visit and free technical guidance for better stormwater management and pollution prevention. You may also be interested in the Speaker’s Bureau.
The City of Wentzville provides a variety of services to meet the needs of the construction and development community including plan review, project development, engineering inspections and stormwater assistance. Please don’t hesitate to contact the City for a site visit and recommendations.
Managing Storms — Best Management Practices
Many options are available to enhance construction site erosion and sediment control and improve stormwater management. When you select the most effective Best Management Practices (BMPs), you’re protecting your business, the environment, and our community from the harmful effects of stormwater runoff. Choosing the right BMP, or “treatment train” of BMPs, involves understanding local requirements for erosion control, as well as water quality and quantity. Here are some resources to help you, both during construction, and post-construction for long-term stormwater runoff management.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
- Protecting Water Quality: Construction Site Field Guide
- Developing Your SWPPP: A Guide for Construction Sites
- SWPPP Inspection Report Template
* Note that SWPPPs must follow the requirements of applicable state construction stormwater permits and must describe specific conditions of the site and plans for development.
Water Quality Facilities
BMPs encouraged in the City of Wentzville (list not inclusive):
- Stormwater Ponds and Wetlands
- Filtering Practices
- Open Channel Practices
- Infiltration Systems
- Riparian Buffer Widening
- Low Impact Development
- Previous Pavement
Ordinances & Tips
Help ensure compliance by checking out these tips and links:
- Builder’s Tips (Common Complaints, Violations, and Ways to Avoid Them)
- Erosion and Sediment Control (Chapter 515)
- Streets (Chapter 505)
- Stormwater Pollution Control (Chapter 725)
- Nuisances (Chapter 215)
- Engineering Design Criteria