Stormwater Information
City Proclamation of Storm Water Week 2023
On February 24, 2015 the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit to the City of Copperas Cove. The city is permitted as a MS4 Phase II Level 2 (population from 10,000 to 40,000).
This permit is for 5 years, and on July 2019 a new permit application was made to TCEQ. This permit requires that goals are established to reduce storm water pollution to creeks, rivers, streams, and lakes.
As part of this general permit, the City of Copperas Cove has prepared and implemented a five-year Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) detailing efforts we will take to prevent and reduce storm water pollution.
The City of Copperas Cove’s SWMP focuses on five minimum control measures (MCM):
PUBLIC EDUCATION, OUTREACH, and INVOLVEMENT
The MS4 is required to develop, implement, and maintain a public education and outreach program to distribute information to the community about impacts of stormwater discharges on water quality, the hazards associated with illegal discharges and the improper disposal of waste, and steps the public can take to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff.
- Conduct Business Outreach Inspections
- Distribute residential pamphlets
- Distribute posters and other outreach materials to the schools and the city library
ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION and ELIMINATION
The MS4 must develop, implement, and enforce a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges.
- Conduct drainage segment and inlet box inspections
- Inspect neighborhoods and commercial areas
- Enforce the city storm water ordinance
- Respond to environmental complainants and conduct investigations
Please report any illegal discharges or dumping in the waterways to:
Storm Water Compliance 254-547-2168
CONSTRUCTION SITE STORM WATER RUNOFF CONTROL
The MS4 is required to develop, implement, and enforce a program to reduce pollutants in any stormwater runoff to the small MS4 from construction activities disturbing greater than or equal to one acre of land (including smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development), through the development of an ordinance (or other regulatory mechanism) to require erosion and sediment controls, as well as sanctions to ensure compliance, and procedures for site plan and public comment review.
- Conduct monthly site inspections
- Review storm water plans (SWPPP)
POST-CONSTRUCTION STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
The MS4 is required to develop, implement, and enforce a program to address stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment projects that disturb greater than or equal to one acre of land (including smaller sites that are part of a larger common plan of development), through the development of an ordinance (or other regulatory mechanism) to address post-construction runoff, the development and implementation of structural and non-structural BMPs appropriate to the community, and procedures to ensure adequate long-term operation and maintenance.
- Conduct storm water retention and detention area inspections
POLLUTION PREVENTION/GOOD HOUSEKEEPING of MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS
The MS4 is required to develop and implement an operation and maintenance program that has the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations.
- Conduct city facility inspections
A copy of the City of Copperas Cove’s SWMP detailing specific the Best Management Practices we will follow to address each minimum control measure is provided in the links below. Additional material, such as program information, and annual progress reports will periodically be updated on this site.
2019 Storm Water Management Plan
2021 MS4 Annual Report
2020 MS4 Annual Report
2022 MS4 Annual Report
2023 MS4 Annual Report
