Stormwater Overview
The City of DeWitt is a member of the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management (GLRC), a guiding body comprised of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities within the Greater Lansing Region. The committee has been established to guide the implementation of the stormwater program for participating communities within the Grand River, the Red Cedar River and the Looking Glass River watersheds. Visit MyWatersheds.org to learn about upcoming events, find steps you can take to limit water pollution, and to get involved in managing our shared water resources!
Stormwater runoff is created when rain falls on pavement, buildings, and other impervious surfaces that do not allow water to soak into the ground. In developed areas like the City of DeWitt, we limit flooding by moving this runoff from our roads, parking lots, and neighborhoods through storm drains which discharge directly into rivers and streams. Since the discharge from separate storm sewer systems does not get processed at a treatment plant, any contaminant on the ground can “hitch a ride” with runoff and enter and impact our shared surface waters. Pet waste, oil, leaves and dirty water from cleaning your car can enter storm drains and flow downstream where it harms aquatic habitats and makes water unsafe for swimming, canoeing and other water-related activities. The City takes steps to reduce this pollution to improve water quality and to meet State and Federal requirements.
Per these requirements, the City must apply for a stormwater discharge permit every five years. A large part of that application consists of a description as to how the City will commit to and proceed with the development, implementation, and enforcement of practices to reduce the discharge of pollutants from its municipal separate storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable. This documentation was formally designated as the City of DeWitt’s Stormwater Management Plan, which is located here for public review and input. The City’s 2023 MS4 Progress Report is located here.
To help facilitate a regional approach to stormwater management, the City is also a member of the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management, a guiding body comprised of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities within the Greater Lansing Region. The committee has been established to guide the implementation of the stormwater program for participating communities within the Grand River, the Red Cedar River and the Looking Glass River watersheds. Visit MyWatersheds.org to learn about upcoming events, find steps you can take to limit water pollution and to get involved in managing our shared water resources! You can also visit https://www.mywatersheds.org/residents to learn more about the watershed around you.
If you have questions or comments regarding the City’s stormwater management plan, please contact Dan Coss at the City of DeWitt Admin/DPS office.
Interested in learning about area events and initiatives aimed at protecting our water resources? Check out these publications from the GLRC.
Report Illicit Discharges
An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge to the municipal separate storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except for discharges allowed under an NPDES permit or waters used for firefighting operations. Many of these non-stormwater discharges occur due to illegal connections to the storm drain system from commercial, residential, and other establishments.
Illicit discharges and dumping allow contaminated wastewater into our local waterways without receiving any treatment. Such activities may be intentional, but also may be unknown to the property owner. Some examples of illicit discharges or dumping are failing septic systems, improper disposal of sewage from recreational vehicles, illicit connections of sanitary sewer lines to the storm sewer system, or the cleaning of pool filters, paint brushes, and vehicles in a driveway or street.
Please help us protect the Looking Glass River and other watersheds by reporting illicit discharges and dumping into DeWitt and Clinton County’s stormwater sewer systems. You may call the City of DeWitt’s Department of Public Services Office at 517-669-5466. You may also contact the State of Michigan EGLE Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) at 800-292-4706.
Stormwater and Watershed Management
As a community located in the Middle Looking Glass River Watershed that meets certain criteria, the City of DeWitt has been directed by the State of Michigan to secure permits from the State which authorizes it to discharge stormwater through its storm sewer system to waters of the State.
In order to maintain a permit, the State has required the City on an ongoing basis to accomplish certain tasks that will result in cleaner storm water being conveyed to receiving bodies. One of these tasks is working with neighboring communities (IE: Bath, DeWitt, and Watertown Townships) in developing a stormwater management plan for the Middle Looking Glass River watershed.
Other initiatives as part of the permitting process include public education efforts on protecting and maintaining water resources, development of local ordinances that regulate stormwater discharges, and mapping and inspecting all storm sewer outlets.
Many of these tasks are being accomplished by the City in conjunction with other greater Lansing area communities through the Greater Lansing Regional Committee (GLRC) regarding the City’s efforts to manage stormwater and develop a watershed management plan is available on mywatershed.org
If you have any questions or comments regarding the City’s stormwater management plan, please contact Dan Coss at the City of DeWitt Administrative Offices at 517-669-2441 or email dcoss@dewittmi.org
Protect our shared water resources by properly disposing of motor oil, fertilizers, and other household hazardous waste. Visit this link to learn how different materials should be disposed of and for a calendar of local waste collection events: http://mywatersheds.org/wastedisposal
PERMIT NO. MI0059716
STATE OF MICHIGAN
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENERGY
AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM