2012 Rochester Regional Science Fair
“Water: Our Natural Resource”
AGENCY RESOURCE INFORMATION
Because so many local, state, and federal agencies and non-profit organizations have a role in protecting or
managing our surface and groundwater resources, it can be hard to know where to turn for assistance about a
particular topic. To help you understand their individual role and what your students can learn from them,
participating organizations have shared the following information.
ORGANIZATION NAME: City of Rochester – Public Works Department – Storm Water
WEBSITE LINK: www.rochesterstormwater.com
 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION – MISSION:
X PUBLIC AGENCY WATER-RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES:
Rochester Public Works is responsible for collecting, transporting, and treating storm water and operates under a
State Municipal Storm Water Permit. To meet the permit requirements, the City conducts many activities to
minimize storm water impacts including:
 Providing information to residents and businesses about pollution prevention and seeking public input on
storm water management,
 Detecting and eliminating prohibited discharges to the storm water system,
 Controlling sediment loss on construction sites of one or more acres,
 Approving grading and drainage plans for all new development to minimize erosion and sediment loss and
manage runoff,
 Constructing and maintaining retention and drainage systems to control the rate and quality of storm water
runoff,
 Stabilizing creeks and other drainage ways,
 Electronically mapping the entire storm water system, and
 Reducing pollutant runoff from City facilities and operations.
CURRENT WATER ISSUES:
 Individual responsibility for keeping water clean (litter, rain barrels, raingardens, clean streets-clean
streams, pet waste management, hazardous waste management, etc.)
 Erosion and sediment control
 Maintenance of existing best management practices, especially storm water ponds
 Reducing impacts to impaired water, from too much turbidity and fecal coliform bacteria
EMERGING WATER ISSUES:
 Proper disposal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products to prevent the addition of endocrine
disruptors to receiving waters
 Reducing the volume of storm water runoff and its related impacts
FAVORITE RESOURCES TO LEARN ABOUT CONTEMPORARY WATER ISSUES:
 www.bluethumb.org
 www.cleanwatermn.org
 www.pca.state.mn.us
 www.zumbrowatershed.org
TYPES OF WATER RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS EMPLOYED BY YOUR AGENCY:
 Educators, regulatory enforcers, inspectors, and planners.
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