Birmingham Public Schools
Storm Water Management Program Compliance
 
As required by the Environmental Protection Agency, Birmingham Public Schools provides the community with information regarding the Storm Water Management Program.

Stormwater carries untreated water runoff directly into creeks and rivers and, by doing so, impacts our environment. Improper disposal of waste, such as oil, paint, fertilizer, and pesticides will pollute the stormwater and destroy plants, endanger wildlife and affect drinking water. Never dump materials, including grass clippings, into any storm drain or drainage canal, and be sure to keep any catch basins on your property free of grass clippings and debris.

Birmingham Public Schools is committed to the environment and strives to be a good steward of the land within its jurisdiction and to use appropriate Best Management Practices to contribute to the improvement of water quality within the Rouge River and Clinton River Watersheds where the district is located.

Birmingham Public Schools encourages all students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors to get involved through opportunities provided by the local watershed groups, including The Rouge River Watershed and the Clinton River Watershed and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

Why worry about stormwater?

Many people may not realize that stormwater collected in drains located on the curbs of their streets does not flow to their local water treatment plant. Rather, this water remains untreated and is discharged directly into the waterways. During this journey to the waterways, stormwater collects and carries a broad range of pollutants. Stormwater is a non-point source of pollution, thus making it extremely difficult to address and the single greatest threat to our water quality and watershed health.  Non-point source pollution comes from many diffuse runoff sources such as rainfall, snowmelt, flowing over and through the ground, picking up pollutants as it goes. Some of these pollutants occur naturally, such as nutrients from sediments, manure, or pet waste. Other pollutants such as fertilizers, automotive grease, and oil occur from our interaction with the environment. Stormwater acts as a carrier of non-point source pollution and is therefore considered a major cause of water quality problems both in Michigan and nationwide.

Public Notice of Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)

To this end, the school district has developed and has implemented a “Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)” to reduce the discharge of pollutants from their MS4 to the Maximum Extent Practicable and protect water quality in accordance with the appropriate water quality requirements of Michigan Act 451, Public Acts of 1994, Part 31, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the district National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit (NPDES).

A copy of the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) is available for review on this webpage, below. Any questions or comments regarding the Stormwater Management Plan should be directed to the Operations Department at 248-203-3975.

Birmingham Public Schools is committed to practicing sound stormwater management practices and to observance and adherence to all local, state and federal stormwater rules and regulations.

BPS Stormwater Public Education and Link

These documents can assist you with specific information about the Birmingham Public Schools SWPP and related programs:
 
The BPS Storm Water Management Plan
BPS policy / Storm Water notice on hosted car wash fundraiser events