Stormwater Management

The City Engineer manages the City’s program to develop, implement and enforce a stormwater management program designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable to protect water quality. Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation or snow melt flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not infiltrate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, sidewalks and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment, or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is discharged untreated. The primary method to control stormwater discharges is the use of best management practices (BMPs). In addition, most stormwater discharges are considered point sources and require coverage under an NPDES/MS4 permit. 

Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. Authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program for MS4 controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES/MS4 permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. Since its introduction in 1972, the NPDES permit program is responsible for significant improvements to our Nation’s water quality. Communities with 1000 people or more per square mile must follow the NPDES General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). The City of Ontario became a small MS4 in 2009 and is required to maintain a small MS4 permit through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. These regulations require designated communities to develop and implement a storm water management plan (SWMP).

This is accomplished by implementing six minimum control measures (click on each of the 6). 

  1. Public Education and Outreach —
    BMPs for MS4s to inform individuals and households about ways to reduce stormwater pollution.
  2. Public Involvement and Participation —
    BMPs for MS4s to involve the public in the development, implementation, and review of an MS4’s stormwater management program.
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination —
    BMPs for identifying and eliminating illicit discharges and spills to storm drain systems.
  4. Construction Runoff Control —
    BMPs for MS4s and construction site operators to address stormwater runoff from active construction sites.
  5. Post-construction Runoff Control —
    BMPs for MS4s, developers, and property owners to address stormwater runoff after construction activities have completed. 
  6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping —
    BMPs for MS4s to address stormwater runoff from their own facilities and activities.

Stormwater Control Measures Inspection Forms

Public Education and Outreach

Stormwater Theme 2023

“Reduce your storm water footprint, simple conservation practices.”

Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt that flows over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground.

According to Wikipedia, stormwater footprint is defined as the runoff footprint, which is the total surface water runoff that a site produces over the course of a year from precipitation. Runoff can pick up and deposit harmful pollutants like trash, chemicals, and dirt/sediment, along with increasing the runoff volumes into streams, lakes, and groundwater. Urbanized areas with high concentrations of impervious surfaces like buildings, roads, and driveways produce large volumes of runoff which can lead to flooding, sewer overflows, and poor water quality.

Since soil in urban areas can be compacted and have a low infiltration rate, the surface runoff estimated in a runoff footprint is not just from impervious surfaces, but also pervious areas including yards. The total runoff is a measure of the site’s contribution to stormwater issues in an area. Completing a runoff footprint for a site allows a property owner to understand what areas on his or her site are producing the most runoff and what scenarios of stormwater green solutions, like rain barrel and rain gardens, are most effective in mitigating this runoff and its costs to the community. Source

Below are links to the EPAs National Stormwater Calculator, National Stormwater Calculator Fact Sheet, and a webpage to better understand the simple conservation methods a property owner could use to reduce their stormwater footprint within the City of Ontario.



Soak Up the Rain by EPA
National Stormwater Calculator by EPA
National Stormwater Calculator Fact Sheet by EPA

Public Involvement and Participation

Events page: https://ontarioohio.org/ontario-events/

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Illicit Discharge Detection Flyer by Respect Our Waters
Chapter 938 Illicit Discharge and Connection Stormwater Regulation

Contact the City of Ontario to report
suspected illegal dumping or illicit discharge

Michael Morton, Zoning Inspector
3375 Milligan Road, Ontario, Ohio 44906
Office: 419-529-2530
Cell: 419-961-7222
Zoning@ontarioohio.org

Construction and Post Construction Runoff

Chapter 937 Stormwater Management
Chapter 1353 Erosion and Sediment Control
Chapter 1354 Riparian and Wetland Setbacks
Ontario Codes and Ordinances

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