Protect Yourself & Storm Water
Since the Covid-19 pandemic begin, we all know someone who has become infected and gotten sick. As a result, we have begun to protect ourselves with personal protective equipment (PPE) more and more. Some PPE items include facemasks, rubber gloves and disinfectant wipes.

As a result of increased PPE use, our environment is now becoming infected. Often times now our used PPE is being discarded on the ground or on a parking lot. And from there it ends up in storm water pipes which leads to our streams and lakes. Some PPE contains toxins when they decompose such as rubber gloves, which is bad for fish and wildlife. Discarded PPE also leads to littered recreational lakes and streams and ultimately on the ocean floor. 

The City of Sikeston encourages all of our citizens to please use PPE and social distancing when out in public. We wish everyone the best of health and to stay safe during this pandemic. The City also encourages everyone to properly discard their used PPE in trash cans or waste bins. Please help fight the infection on storm water. 

Remember.....only rain in the drain!

State Stormwater Permit & City of Sikeston Stormwater Management Program Summary
State Stormwater Permit
Stormwater Management Program-draft (Permit Period 2022-2027)
Department of Natural Resources Missouri State Operating Permits 


This summary serves to inform the general public of the City of Sikeston, MO of it`s Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) proposal. This summary also serves public notice for the renewal of the City`s Comprehensive General Permit for Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). A copy of the permit may be obtained or viewed by visiting the City of Sikeston`s web page www.sikeston.org.

The City of Sikeston owns and operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) which is regulated differently than sanitary sewer systems (BMU). The City of Sikeston is defined as a Small MS4 per 10 CSR 20-6.200 (D) 16 which serves a population of at least 10,000 but not more than 40,000. As defined in 10 CSR 20-6.200 (D) 24, the City of Sikeston must obtain a permit (MOR04C) from the State of Missouri to discharge it`s storm water into the waters of the United States. The City of Sikeston is currently discharging it`s storm water under permit NPDES MS4 Permit MO R040025, which expires on December 31, 2021.

Small MS4`s seeking coverage under the State`s general permit (MOR04C) must develop and implement a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP). The City`s SWMP must include at least 6 minimum control measures (MCMs). The following is a summary of the City of Sikeston`s minimum control measures. They are as follows:

• Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts.

1.1) The City will target groups such as the general public, schools, developers, and industries for educational purposes. These groups will be educated on pollutants such as grass clippings, litter, pet waste, swimming pool discharges, construction run-off, and vehicle washing.

1.2) The City will provide and utilize educational resources to the targeted groups using available tools including Facebook, the City`s web page, brochures, signage, local newspapers, and educational seminars.

1.3) The City will provide opportunities and support activities that promote storm water management. Such activities include the City`s Adopt A Road program, compost days, community clean ups, and placing storm inlet markers.

1.4) The City will use these activities and education tools as a means to assess the success of these best management practices (BMP`s). These activities and tools will also be a means to creating a quantity value to also to judge the success of each control measure.

2)    Public Participation

2.1) The City must provide a 30 day public notice prior to submitting an application for a permit           (MOR04C) and a summary of its SWMP.

2.2) The City will provide public access to the States permit and the City`s SWMP using its web page and Facebook account. The City will also provide tools to the public for comment, concerns, and questions.

2.3) The City will provide opportunities for the public to attend or serve on its Storm Water Advisory Board. This board will meet at least twice a year or when necessary to address storm water related issues.

2.4) The City`s City Council will be updated on a yearly basis concerning it`s Storm Water Management Program.

3)     Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

3.1) A map of the City`s storm water infrastructure will be maintained and updated as needed. The  map will include locations of all outfalls, names of all receiving waters, and boundaries of the MS4. The maps will be made available upon request to the public.

3.2) The City will keep and maintain an ordinance (Ordinance #6016) that prohibits non storm water from being discharged into the States waters. This ordinance will implement appropriate enforcement procedures and actions, to the extent allowable under state and local law. This ordinance will cover issues such as removing hazardous materials, conducting investigations, and placing fines.

3.4) The City will conduct “dry weather” screening of all its outfalls during the 5 year permit. Screening will include a checklist for contaminants such as odor, color of discharge, surface scum, floatables and oil sheen.

3.5) The City will use its educational resources to  train employees and the public on the hazards associated with illicit discharges to storm water.

3.6) The City will maintain a “hot line” and other resources for reporting illicit discharges.

4)      Construction Site Storm Water Run Off Control

4.1) The City will keep and maintain an ordinance (Ordinance #5816) that reduces runoff pollutants from construction sites within the City`s MS4. This ordinance will implement appropriate enforcement procedures and actions, to the extent allowable under state and local laws. This ordinance covers issues such as inspections, stop work orders and fines and penalties.

4.2) The City will review all preconstruction plans to evaluate threats to water quality.

4.3) The City will require best management practices at all construction sites within it`s MS4. Construction sites will be required to control solid waste, spills, concrete wash out areas, tracking of silt onto public roadways, and soil erosion control measures.

4.4) The City will use a checklist to check for compliance at construction sites.

4.5) The City will keep an inventory of all active construction sites within its MS4.

5)       Post Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment

5.1) The City will keep and maintain an ordinance (Ordinance #5816) that addresses the quality of long term storm water from new development and redevelopment in its MS4. This ordinance implements requirements for the long term care of the developments BMP`s, inspections of the BMP`s, notice of violations and property liens and fines.

5.2) The City will review all post construction BMP`s when reviewing developments construction plans. The City will assess second party engineers for plan review when warranted.

5.3) The City will develop and maintain a list of all post construction BMP`s within its MS4.

6)        Pollution Prevention/ Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

6.1) The City will continue to implement an operation and maintenance program for its municipal operations.

6.2) The City will continue to train its employees on preventing or reducing hazardous runoff from municipal operations. Training will cover topics such as building and parks maintenance operations, vehicle and equipment maintenance, fluid spills, stormwater maintenance, salt operations, street sweeper operations and illicit discharges.

6.3) The City will maintain a list of all city owned properties and maintenance and operation procedures for each location.

6.4) All City owned facilities will be inspected on a yearly basis for storm water hazards.

6.5) The City will continue its procedures for the proper disposal of waste removed from its MS4 structures and jurisdiction.

The City of Sikeston will retain any records of monitoring information it collects at a minimum of three years. The City will also retain records of all required recordkeeping for its SWMP, a copy of its MOR04C permit, copy`s of all ordinances and procedures for the six Minimum Control Measures, and any data used to complete the application for the permit (MOR04C). And lastly, the City will annually report to the State the status of its MS4 program. Information reported to the State includes the City`s progress of reducing pollutants, the status of the City`s MS4 compliance with permit conditions, assessment of the City’s Best Management Practices, and summaries of information collected. The reporting period for the City`s MS4 program will be from January 1^st through December 31^st. Copies of the City`s MS4 program, its Storm Water Management Plan and its NPDES MS4 Permit MOR0025 can be obtained at City Hall or through the office of the City`s Storm Water Coordinator.

Stormwater Hotline:  573-475-3727

Call Sikeston's Stormwater hotline to report any discharge of debris or pollutants into a storm drain or local waterway. To report a hazardous spill, please dial 911! Do not attempt to clean up material if it is unsafe to do so. Call 573-475-3727 to report all other unlawful discharges or pollutants into stormwater and the proper agency will be notified.  For additional information on illegal discharging and dumping, click here. 

Why the need for Stormwater Quality?

Stormwater is nothing more than rainwater. But it’s what the rainwater carries along with it as it runs from our rooftops, across our properties, along the city streets, gutter lines, and pipes until it is deposited into our streams and ditches that flow away from our community.  Unlike sewage, stormwater runs through separate piping, and is not treated. Common pollutants include, but are not limited to Litter, (general garbage, cigarette butts, plastic bags), Chemical pollution (detergents, oil or fertilizers) and "natural" pollution, (decaying vegetation, animal waste).  Eventually, the majority of our stormwater ends up in larger bodies of water, which are sometimes a source of drinking water for many communities. 

What Are Federal Standards and Guidelines with regard to Stormwater Quality?

The City of Sikeston is one of the 149 communities within the State of Missouri that is required to submit an application to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for coverage under the Missouri Phase II MS4 general stormwater permit, as moderated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Water Act.

Sikeston Stormwater Management Program

Since 1983, the City of Sikeston has maintained storm water ordinances, guidelines and requirements. The City Storm water ordinance was recently modified, resulting in the adoption of

Land Disturbance Permit Application  
Land Disturbance Permit Renewal Application 
Land Disturbance Permit Termination Form 

This program ensures City compliance with federal requirements, which furthermore helps us improve what everyone should want; pollution-free storm water.  To comply with the federal requirements, the City of Sikeston must meet the following Six Minimum Control Measures:

1. Public education and outreach
2. Public involvement/participation
3. Illicit discharge detection
4. Construction site stormwater runoff control
5. Post-construction stormwater management in new development and re-development
6. Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for community operations

See link: Missouri Department of Natural Resources Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems

How Citizens Can Help Control Stormwater Pollution:

As you can see, many of our daily activities have the potential to cause Stormwater pollution. How you manage your property and day-to-day activities can determine the quality of your drinking water and local swimming and fishing areas. Remember, “You are the solution to pollution!”
Download Brochure: Ways You Can Help Prevent Stormwater Pollution  

Here's How You Can Help:

• Don’t discharge grass onto the street when mowing. (City Code 505.350)

Section 505.350 Depositing Debris:

A.  No person, or entity shall place any dirt, chips, mulch, grass clippings, leaves, limbs, straw, paper, ashes, or other rubbish upon any sidewalk, alley, street, thoroughfare, gutter line, or into any stormwater basins, or drainage ditch within the city.

• Divert roof drains and other runoff to vegetated areas on your property.
• Retain or create buffers of vegetation between waterways and impervious areas to help filter out pollutants.
• Keep your vehicles tuned up and repair leaks quickly.
• Wash your car on the lawn, not the driveway, or street. (City Code Section 345.140)
• Stop soil erosion – plant vegetation on all bare areas.
• Never pour used oil, paint thinners, and other pollutants into storm drains or waterways or on the ground. Take these household hazardous wastes to a recycling/collection center.  Clean up spills quickly.
• Use lawn care practices that protect water quality. Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn; sweep (don’t wash) fertilizer off driveways and walkways and compost yard wastes.  
• Clean litter from the street and storm drains in front of your home and along stream banks to keep it out of our waters. (City Code Section 505.350)
• Place all solid waste into proper containers for collection. (City Code Section 220.030-220.040)
• Walk your dog in vegetated areas or bury or flush pet wastes. (City Code Section 715.070)
• Design all new construction to prevent runoff and stormwater pollution.
• Report any pollution, illegal dumping or soil erosion that you see to authorities.
• Support agencies and organizations working on clean water programs.

How Your Group or Organization Can Help:

• Organize a StreamWatch Group that “adopts” a stream, lateral ditch or lake in your community.
• Conduct stream cleanups that remove trash and debris from waterways.
• Stencil storm drains with “Don’t Dump – Drains to Waterway” messages to inform citizens that dumping pollutes local waters.
• Support or help expand community recycling/collection programs for used oil, household hazardous wastes and other potential pollutants.
• Organize school and public education programs on Stormwater problems and solutions.

City of Sikeston Passes Ordinance #6016

The City of Sikeston has recently adopted ordinance 6016, which helps regulate StormWater and illicit discharges. The Environmental Protection Agency defines an illicit discharge as any discharge into the storm water system that is not composed entirely of storm water, with some exceptions. Some exceptions include firefighting activities, irrigation, unchlorinated pool water, and residential car washing. The purpose of this ordinance is to minimize the discharge of pollutants into our waterways and to help protect the waters of the United States. This ordinance prohibits the intentional release of pollutants into the storm system or local waterways.  The City`s StormWater system is not designed to accept or treat non storm water materials such as used motor oil, industrial waste or residential waste water. These types of material will damage the StormWater system and lead to polluted waterways. The Department of Public Works is responsible for the enforcement of the new ordinance and has been given the authority to pursue violations. Violators can receive fines of up to $500 and may be financially responsible for the cleanup of discharging pollutants. It is the City`s hope to never have to use this ordinance! The new ordinance becomes effective May 16, 2016. If you have any questions or comments, or notice an illicit discharge, you may contact Darren Martin, StormWater Coordinator, at 573- 475-3732.

REMEMBER: ONLY RAIN IN THE DRAIN!