Division History
 City of Oklahoma City
 


Storm drains carry untreated runoff
Directly into our streams and rivers.

The City of Oklahoma City Department of Public Works began to implement the NPDES Storm Water program in 1992.  By 1995, Oklahoma City had completed all of the preliminary research and development and was issued an NPDES Storm Water permit.

Funding for the Storm Water program was established for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995-1996.  The Storm Water Drainage Utility Fee was approved to implement the environmental programs set forth in the Phase I Storm Water requirements.

 The fee is collected through monthly Oklahoma City water utility bills and is based on water meter size.

 Four years after the initiation of the permit, the City Council, recognizing the need for greater emphasis on urban water quality problems, passed some of the most innovative environmental protection regulations in its history, creating the Storm Water Quality Management Division (SWQ). 

This enabled the City to take effective measures to protect water quality in developing urban watersheds during an unprecedented period of growth.  The program goals are to prevent any source of contaminants which have the potential to pollute waterways or endanger community health, safety, property, and quality of life.

All the mandated environmental programs in the City's Storm Water Management Plan have been implemented.  Major programs address industrial and construction surface runoff.  Another primary aspect of the City's management plan encourages public outreach through information, education and community service.

 On September 9, 1997, two years after the initial permit issuance, EPA delegated all the responsibilities for storm water discharges in Oklahoma (excluding facilities located on Indian lands) to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).  On August 8, 2001, ODEQ issued the second five year permit to the City of Oklahoma City.  The primary focus of the renewed permit will be implementing the Watershed Characterization Study and preparing for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Programs.

Stormwater Quality Management
Raymond Melton, Division Head
420 West Main, 7th Floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: 405-297-1774
Fax:   405-297-1770
E-mail: brenda.underwood@okc.gov