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Washington council hears MS4 stormwater update; staff says DNR found programmatic improvement
Summary
City staff told the council the city is making progress on its MS4 stormwater permit after a 2024 audit, reporting developer enforcement actions, quarterly reporting requirements and upcoming High Street Basin retrofit project with public education components.
City staff presented the annual MS4 stormwater update to the Washington City Council on Feb. 2, saying the city has implemented code changes and stepped up inspections and outreach required under its MS4 permit with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The presentation said code updates adopted in May 2024 have led to more water‑quality post‑construction facilities on development sites, expanded inspections of grading and construction permits and an ‘‘erosion assistance’’ program the council approved last fall. Staff also described public outreach efforts including biweekly social posts called “Waterwise Wednesday,” a community Earth Day event and trainings for developers and designers.
City staff reviewed the city’s audit history, saying the 2024 follow‑up audit showed substantial improvement over problems identified in 2022. ‘‘DNR was happy with that,’’ a staff presenter said, and DNR declined to place the city into a consent order that could have included monetary penalties; instead the city was asked to submit quarterly reports during this follow‑up year. Staff said the last quarterly report will be submitted with the annual report in February and if that report is satisfactory, the city will be removed from the probationary status.
Staff also summarized a March notice of violation involving a private developer who failed to control stormwater runoff. The situation, staff said, was resolved through enforcement that included a stop‑work order, and the developer returned to compliance by November. The presenter described continued emphasis on documentation and inspections to maintain compliance.
Looking ahead, staff said the High Street Basin retrofit will start in about one to two weeks and will include an on‑site educational sign for the public; a Jefferson A Street project is planned later in the year. Staff said they will continue training sessions for developers and designers and hope to expand school partnerships that produced three storm‑drain murals by Washington High School students.
Councilmembers praised staff work. One councilmember said the city ‘‘got our hands slapped that night’’ in reference to earlier findings and commended staff for getting the program on track. The council had no formal direction beyond acknowledging the update and moving on to other agenda items.
The city’s stormwater program remains under permit obligations to DNR and EPA; staff said continued reporting and documentation will be the focus until the city is formally released from its probationary oversight.
