Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping for municipal operations

The purpose of this MCM is to reduce exposure of potential pollutants to stormwater at municipal facilities and during municipal operations, such as road salting and pesticide application. The City of Valparaiso currently incorporates several elements of pollution prevention and good housekeeping that are designed to minimize impacts to our local waterways from municipal facilities and operations.

  • Maintain an inventory of the City owned and/or operated facilities and conduct annual assessment of the facilities. 
  • Pollution prevention at all municipal facilities including secondary storage containment, proper waste management, and standard operating procedures for spill prevention and control
  • Quarterly inspection of municipal facilities to detect and eliminate potential stormwater pollutants
  • Annual Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Emergency Spill Response training for municipal employees
  • Minimization of pesticide and fertilizer application and use
  • Periodic pavement sweeping at municipal facilities
  • Street sweeping. The City of Valparaiso has purchased two street sweepers to help keep city's streets clean. On average, all city streets are swept twice a year with additional sweeping on heavily traveled routes when needed. Street sweeping prevents debris and hazardous materials from building up in roadways, entering storm drains, and reaching our natural waterways
  • Surface visual inspection of all catch basins, outfalls, and conveyance systems
  • Cleaning stormwater catch basins and intakes to aid in the removal of debris that could potentially reach the local waterways. Catch basins and intakes are cleaned and treated every year