About SWPCC
Truckee Meadows Stormwater Program
TM SWPCC stands for the Truckee Meadows Stormwater Permit Coordinating Committee, organized to protect our watershed from urban runoff pollution.
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 .
Elements of the SWPCC Program
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
About Program Elements
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
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
The Committee co-permittees review plans, conduct inspections, and collaborate with state and local agencies, health department staff and the public to ensure that future development occurs in a manner that minimizes environmental contamination and provides for sustainable development.
Reference the City of Sparks, Washoe County, and Reno Master Plans for further details on land use decisions.
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.
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
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, or 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.
This program integrates stormwater management into the existing environmental control program.
- Inspector training
- Inspection and enforcement
- Industrial BMP handbook
- Complaints reporting and follow up
Watershed Projects
Learn about recent SWPCC Watershed Projects and their progress below.
Chalk Creek Subwatershed
Increased runoff from urbanization has increased the hydromodification rate and led to severe erosion at some sites along Chalk Creek. In the 2020 Watershed Plan for Tributaries to the Truckee River, Chalk Creek was listed as a high priority for implementation, and in 2020, the NDEP 319(h) Grant was utilized to kick start the Chalk Creek Stabilization and Erosion Control at Sapphire Ridge Project. Please check back for project progress and a future construction schedule.
McKinley Arts & Cultural Center Demonstration LID Project
Contact Us
Have a question or comment for the program? Send us an email or attend a meeting.
