When rain washes over our homes, streets, parking lots, industries and businesses it usually combines with materials it comes in contact with such as oil, gas, trash and other debris. This polluted stormwater runoff is commonly transported through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), from which it is often discharged untreated into local waterbodies. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, operators must obtain a NPDES permit and develop a stormwater management program.
The Storm Water Phase II Program was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in 1999. The program is an unfunded federal mandate applying to all states. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) administers the program for the State of Indiana. IDEM designated certain communities and urban areas in the State as Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The City of Hammond is a designated MS4 entity. IDEM also promulgated a new rule under Indiana Administrative Code 327 IAC 15-13, referred to as Rule 13. The State requires the City of Hammond to comply with this rule. The Sanitary District of Hammond administers the Stormwater program for the City of Hammond.
Rule 13 requires municipalities to take measures to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff to improve water quality. A Stormwater Quality Program had to be developed containing certain components or Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) in order to achieve this goal.
The components are:
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination also known as IDDE refers to illegal, or illicit, connections or discharges and/or dumping into storm sewers. Since separated storm sewers discharge into waterways without going to a treatment plant, it is essential that only stormwater enters these sewers. Other materials could damage the water quality of the receiving waterway.
A connection to the stormwater system is considered illegal if it comes from any source other than stormwater. Examples of illegal connections are sink drains, laundry discharges, and sanitary sewers.
Only stormwater should be discharged into stormwater sewer. Any other material discharged directly or indirectly into a storm sewer is an illegal discharge. Materials considered an illegal discharge include but are not limited to:
- Sanitary wastes
- Industrial wastes
- Animal wastes
- Yard debris/grass clippings
- Oils, gas, and other garage/automotive wastes
- Paints, solvents, or other household wastes
- Floor, garage, or driveway wash water
- Construction runoff
Most of the stormwater discharged by the Sanitary District of Hammond passes through a pump station. This map (hosted by Google) denotes the locations of the outfalls for stormwater pump stations. Clicking on any of the triangular markers for the outfalls will bring up a picture of the outfall and a link to the email of the Stormwater Coordinator. If any sign of an illicit discharge, (smell, oil sheen, strange color, etc.) is seen, please click on the email link and send a description of the problem.
Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
The Hammond Stormwater Ordinance requires an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for land disturbance over 1 acre or a land disturbance of less than 1 acre provided that it is part of a larger plan of development.
The Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD) reviews all SWPPPs on behalf of the Sanitary District of Hammond but the Sanitary District conducts all inspections. Therefore all SWPPPs must be submitted to both LCSWCD and HSD.
Send SWPPPs to:
LCSWCD
2291 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Sanitary District of Hammond
Attention Jeffrey Massey, Stormwater Coordinator
5143 Columbia Avenue
Hammond, Indiana 46327
Post Construction Stormwater Management
An Operation and Maintenance Manual must be prepared so that the best management practices are adhered to, consistent with the approved SWPPP, so that to ensure that the stormwater is protected after the construction is complete.
Pollution Prevention and Good House Keeping
The Sanitary District, as well as the City of Hammond, takes stormwater quality very seriously. Best management practices have been established for all City Departments with emphasis on the marina and public works to help minimize the effects of municipal operations on stormwater:
- Used automotive oils are recycled
- Pesticides and fertilizers are limited
- Spill control procedures have been developed for fueling operations
- Stored materials have secondary containment
- Each employee receives annual training on stormwater issues including housekeeping and IDDE
MS4 Boundary and Description
The City of Hammond (City) is located in Lake County, Indiana in the northwest portion of the state. The Hammond Sanitary District (HSD) operates and maintains the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) for the City. The MS4 Boundary for the City of Hammond is the corporate limits.
New 2022 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit Public Notification
What is this Public Notification for?
With the issuance of the IDEM’s new MS4 General Permit on December 18, 2021, all current MS4 entities are required to apply for coverage under the new MS4 General Permit. As part of the permit application process, MS4 entities seeking continuing coverage must notify the public of the intent of the MS4 (City of Hammond) to submit an application to IDEM to obtain permit coverage as an MS4. Notification may be achieved by placing a notification on the MS4 entity web page.
Public Notification Statement
The City of Hammond (5925 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, IN 46320) intends to discharge stormwater into the Calumet River-Frontal Lake Michigan (Hydrologic Unit Code 040400010603), Grand Calumet River-Little Calumet River (HUC 071200030407), Headwaters Grand Calumet River (HUC 071200030406), Lake Michigan (HUC 040602000000) and Town of Black Oak-Little Calumet River (071200030305) watersheds and is submitting a Notice of Intent to notify the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of the MS4 entity’s intent to comply with the requirements of the MS4 General Permit to discharge stormwater run-off. Please address MS4 Program Questions to: Jeff Massey, Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment/Stormwater Coordinator, Sanitary District of Hammond, jmassey@hammondsd.com, 219-853-6413.