Section Eight(b) Urban Runoff 2011-2016 NPS Pollution Management Plan Statewide Programs Introduction The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) identifies Urban Runoff as a source of contamination in its most current List of Impaired Waterbodies. As the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission’s (ANRC) Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Plan is to be used in conjunction with ADEQ’s List of Impaired Waterbodies, the agency has changed the title from Household and Business Activities to Urban Runoff to reflect ADEQ’s terminology. The Urban Runoff Statewide Program addresses pollutants that can be generated by households and businesses not required to obtain National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, whether they are located in rural or urban counties. The most recent National Water Quality Inventory reports that runoff from urban areas is the leading source of impairments to surveyed estuaries and the third largest source of water quality impairments to surveyed lakes (EPA, 2004). Onsite Waste Disposal: The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) regulates onsite wastewater treatment systems. ADEQ delegates a portion of its regulatory authority for the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program to ADH under a Memorandum of Agreement as it relates to septic tanks and subsurface distribution systems, excluding household systems, which are considered Class V injection wells. Rules and regulations pertaining to Sewage Disposal System Designated Representatives and Installers (Act 402 of 1994) provide standards for installation of septic systems and certification requirements for system designers and installers. Some types of systems may also require a NPDES permit from ADEQ. ADH has also developed an Alternate Systems Manual to complement these rules and regulations, which provides for the installation of alternatives to the standard septic tank system in special situations. This NPS Pollution Management Plan is developed to complement and support implementation of those rules and regulations using education and other voluntary activities. Ground and surface water pollution are major considerations when septic tanks are used. The main pollutants from septic tanks are pathogens such as viruses, nutrients, and organics. Systems used in undersized lots or where soils are unsuitable for proper treatment of wastewater are subject to undesirable conditions such as widespread saturation of the soil and malfunction of the treatment system. Malfunctioning systems may result in untreated sewage leaching into groundwater or running into streams or roadside ditches, contaminating surface water.
tarps; bug zappers; fly-tight storage sheds; and chemical controls; Use these least-toxic products: pyrethrin-based insecticides; dehydrating dusts (e.g., silica gel); insecticidal soaps; horticultural oils; and landscaping, gardening and pest control. BMPs for Commercial Fertilizer and Pesticide Application for Lawn Services, Commercial Landscapers, Golf Courses, Local Governments and Others. Soil test before fertilizing to prevent over application. Calibrate application equipment prior to application to prevent over application. Prevent overspray of fertilizers and pesticides onto sidewalks and streets. If overspray occurs, vacuum oversprayed fertilizers and pesticides to prevent runoff into the storm drain during storm events. Do not apply fertilizer just before or during rainstorms. Rinse empty pesticide containers and treat the rinse water as you would the product. Dispose of empty containers in the trash. Dumping toxics into the street, gutter or storm drain is illegal! Non-recyclable materials must be taken to an appropriate landfill or disposed of as hazardous waste. Do not apply fertilizers or pesticides in streamside buffers of waterbodies. Follow USDA guidelines and label requirements when applying, storing and disposing of fertilizers and pesticides. BMPs for Residential Homeowners, Small Businesses and Landscapers, Taking Care of Lawns, Golf Courses, Etc. Landscaping and garden maintenance activities can be major contributors to pollution and stream bank erosion. Soils, yard wastes, over watering and garden chemicals become part of the urban runoff mix that winds its way through streets, gutters and storm drains before entering surface waters. Poorly functioning sprinklers and over watering, for example, waste water and increase the number of pollutants flowing into storm drains. Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are washed off lawns and landscaped areas. These chemicals not only kill garden invaders, they also harm useful insects and contaminate ground and surface water. Leaves, grass clippings and tree trimmings that are swept or blown into the street and gutter are also Las Vegas Wash polluters. These wastes clog catch basins, increasing the risk of flooding on your street, and carry garden chemicals into surface waters. As they decompose, they also absorb oxygen aquatic life need to