Guiding Principles

Six Minimum Control Measures (or "MCM's") form the foundation of any Indiana municipality's clean storm water program, as identified by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
 

1. Public Education and Outreach

This includes distributing educational materials and performing outreach to inform citizens about the impacts polluted storm water can have on water quality.  We all can make a difference leading to cleaner water in our community.
 

2. Public Participation and Involvement

The City of Noblesville is working to provide hands-on opportunities for citizens to get involved.  Two practical opportunities are the Adopt-A-Storm-Drain Program and the White River Clean-up day, scheduled for September 13, 2008.  This major clean-up event is held every year, the second Saturday in September.
 

3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

The City of Noblesville is implementing a plan to detect and eliminate unauthorized discharges to the storm system.  Signs are posted along the road near major waterways, informing the public of what number to call to Report-A-Polluter.
 

4. Construction Site Runoff Control

The City of Noblesville is responsible for enforcing an erosion and sediment control program for construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land.  This is known as "Rule 5" regarding active construction, and more information can be found here.
 

5. Post-Construction Runoff Control

The City of Noblesville is responsible for enforcing a program to address discharges of post-construction stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment areas.  Applicable controls could include preventative actions, such as protecting vulnerable areas like wetlands, or the use of structural Best Management Practices (BMP's) like grassed swales or buffer strips.  The Post-Construction Minimum Control Measure is connected with "Rule 5" as mentioned above, and more information can be found here.
 

6. Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

With internal consistency in mind, this measure includes the development and implementation of a program with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations.  Municipal staff are to be trained on pollution prevention measures and techniques, such as regular street sweeping, reduction in the use of pesticides and street salt, and frequent catch-basin cleaning.