Truckee Meadows Stormwater Program
The Truckee Meadows Regional Stormwater Quality Management Program is a comprehensive program comprised of efforts by the governments of Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County (making up the Stormwater Permit Coordinating Committee (SWPCC)), together with private citizens, to reduce the pollution associated with urban runoff in the Truckee Meadows.
This program is required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued jointly to the Cities of Reno and Sparks and Washoe County.
The program includes the following required program elements:
- Intergovernmental Coordination
- Public Outreach
- Municipal Operations
- Stormwater Discharge Monitoring
- Land Use Planning
- Structural Controls and LID
- Construction Site Discharge
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Industrial Program
Intergovernmental Coordination
Through coordination the committee has developed clear roles and responsibilities among the local jurisdictions for program development and implementation and has established the relationship of the local program to the state program. The City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County entered into a formal agreement for program development and implementation.
Public Outreach
Public education and engagement helps inform the community of proactive steps to reduce pollution. Public engagement includes:
- Storm drain stenciling w/ Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful
- Earth Day celebration
- School presentations
Municipal Operations
The Municipal Operations program addresses agency wide efforts to improve water quality.
- Street sweeping
- Storm drain cleaning and maintenance
- Low Impact Development criteria
- Staff training
- Design criteria
- Brine application reductions
Stormwater Discharge Monitoring
This program implements monitoring stations for collection of stormwater runoff samples. Samples are tested in a state approved analytical laboratory and reported in the annual report. See past reports on Truckee River Information Gateway (http://www.truckeeriverinfo.org).
Structural Controls and LID
New and significant redevelopment projects should reference the Truckee Meadows Structural Controls Design and Low Impact Development Manual. The LID manual outlines requirements and design guidance to reduce and treat stormwater runoff through the implementation of LID development practices.
Construction Site Discharge
This program integrates stormwater management into the existing regulatory program.
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) reviews
- Inspection and enforcement
- BMP field handbook
- Regional BMP classes
Industrial Program
This program integrates stormwater management into the existing environmental control program.
- Inspector training
- Inspection and enforcement
- Industrial BMP handbook
- Complaints reporting and follow up
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
(IDDE)
The IDDE includes inspection and enforcement program for detecting and eliminating illicit discharges and connections. Outfalls along the Truckee River will be physically surveyed twice annually as well as periodically sampled.
This list is to assist you in recognizing potential illegal/illicit discharges into the storm drain system
SWPCC Governing Documents & Annual Reports
The Truckee Meadows Stormwater Permit Coordinating Committee (SWPCC) meets to coordinate activities of the Stormwater Management Program and Watershed Protection Plan. An Annual Report is prepared each year covering program activities.
Note that only the newest reports are linked here. Please contact us for reports dating back to 2005.
Governing Program Documents
Current Sampling Analysis Plan
MS4 Annual Reports
Annual Stormwater Monitoring Reports
FY2021 Annual Monitoring Report
FY2020 Annual Monitoring Report
FY2019 Annual Monitoring Report
Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination
IDDE Compliance Summary FY2021
Public Service Announcements
N/A
Watershed Protection Plan for Tributaries to the Truckee River
2020 Watershed Management and Protection Plan for Tributaries to the Truckee River
Truckee Meadows Watershed Assessment Reports
2022 Galena Creek Project Reach Assessment Memo with Appendices
2022 Chalk Creek Project Reach Assessment Memo
2022 Steamboat Creek Watershed Assessment Memo
2022 South Evans Creek Project Assessment Memo
2022 North Truckee Drain Project Reach Assessment Memo
2022 Jones Creek CRR Project Reach Assessment Memo
2017 Truckee Meadows Watershed Assessment Report
2016 Truckee Meadows Watershed Assessment Report
Please contact us for Watershed Assessments dating back to 2005.
Prohibited Discharges
- Industrial process water
- Commercial car wash wastewater
- Sanitary sewer flows
- Wash-down of loading areas
- Wastewater treatment plant effluent
- Dumping of liquid waste
- Chlorinated pool water
- Water softener brine backwash
- Reclaimed or recycled water
Permissible Discharges
- Lawn, garden and landscape irrigation (not including reclaimed or recycled water)
- Diverted stream flows
- Rising ground waters and springs
- Uncontaminated pumped ground water
- Foundation drains
- Air conditioning condensation
- Water from crawl space pumps
- Footing drains
- Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands
- Dechlorinated swimming pool discharges
- Water utility line flushing
- Runoff from firefighting
- Discharges from potable water sources
- Street wash water from cleaning/maintenance
- Residential and fund raising car washing