30 SECONDS WITH YOUR MAYOR
Establishing Proactive Nonpoint Source
Pollution Management Measures
The water quality in OUR CITY’s watershed is highly regulated at the federal, state, and regional
levels. OUR CITY’s adherence to these rules represents the minimum level of watershed
protection. Given the increasing strains placed on water supplies across the country, the
requirements for maintaining water quality will likely become more stringent. Regulatory agencies
will seek to ensure that our limited water sources have reduced pollutants and contaminants. In
anticipation of stricter water quality requirements, OUR CITY should establish proactive measures
that improve water quality beyond the baseline requirements. Given that the current leading
cause of surface water pollution in America is nonpoint source pollution, i.e., runoff from many
different sources and locations such as oil from parking lots, OUR CITY should specifically evaluate
its nonpoint source pollution management measures. Implementing progressive management
measures can improve the environment, protect property values, and put OUR CITY ahead of the
curve in terms of regulatory compliance.
PROPOSED OUR CITY WATER QUALITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
OUR CITY should appoint an individual charged with leading a Water Quality Enhancement
Committee (WQE Committee) which includes key staff from departments that can address nonpoint
source pollution (e.g., the Water Authority, Sustainability/Environmental Management, Utilities,
Department of Transportation, Parks, the School District, and/or Tax). The WQE Committee should
also include representatives of non-government local stakeholders (e.g., concerned residents,
civic/environmental organization personnel, academics, and key business/industry personnel). The
WQE Committee should perform the following steps to identify proactive nonpoint source pollution
management measures that OUR CITY can implement quickly with limited costs:
1. Review the legal context of real estate developments to determine whether our
codes/ordinances adequately address stormwater control.
2. Review other codes/ordinances (e.g., Tree Protection, Open Space Development,
Stormwater Utility, and Pet Waste Ordinances) to assess whether they seek to enhance
water quality.
3. Create a list of existing codes/ordinances that OUR CITY should consider modifying and a
list of codes/ordinances that OUR CITY should consider creating in order to further protect
water quality in our watershed.
4. Identify incentives (e.g., expedited permitting and waved fees) that OUR CITY can offer
developers who commit to building techniques that further enhance water quality.
5. Determine whether/how OUR CITY can better manage its physical water infrastructure.
6. Identify additional pollution prevention measures that OUR CITY can implement and/or
encourage (e.g., street and parking lot cleaning and household hazardous waste
collection).
7. Suggest enhancements to OUR CITY’s community outreach efforts that teach citizens how
they can help reduce nonpoint source pollution.
WWW.SUSTAINABLECITIESINSTITUTE.ORG ©2012 The National League of Cities, All Rights Reserved
1
PROPOSED TIMELINE
The WQE Committee would issue its findings and recommendations within six months of formation.
PROGRAM BENEFITS




Buy-in from community members, civic/environmental groups, and local businesses.
Reduction in nonpoint source pollution.
Increased likelihood of complying with stricter water quality standards thereby reducing the
possibility of paying fines for noncompliance.
Increased community interest in protection of its watershed.
PROJECTED COSTS
No direct costs if organized by city staff.
WWW.SUSTAINABLECITIESINSTITUTE.ORG ©2012 The National League of Cities, All Rights Reserved
2
WWW.SUSTAINABLECITIESINSTITUTE.ORG ©2012 The National League of Cities, All Rights Reserved
3