Stormwater Management Education Page
Stormwater Management
🌧️ Stormwater Management & MS4 Permitting: What It Means for Buffalo
Stormwater management is the practice of controlling runoff from rain and snowmelt to prevent flooding, erosion, and pollution in local waterways. In cities like Buffalo—especially those adjacent to the Mississippi River—stormwater can carry pollutants directly into the river if not properly managed. To comply with federal and state regulations, Buffalo is designated as an MS4 community (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). This means we must obtain and maintain a stormwater discharge permit through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
đź“ť MS4 Permit Requirements
Under the MS4 permit, Buffalo must implement and report on six key program areas:
đź’° Funding & Reporting Needs
To meet MS4 obligations, Buffalo must allocate funds for:
Stormwater management is the practice of controlling runoff from rain and snowmelt to prevent flooding, erosion, and pollution in local waterways. In cities like Buffalo—especially those adjacent to the Mississippi River—stormwater can carry pollutants directly into the river if not properly managed. To comply with federal and state regulations, Buffalo is designated as an MS4 community (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). This means we must obtain and maintain a stormwater discharge permit through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
đź“ť MS4 Permit Requirements
Under the MS4 permit, Buffalo must implement and report on six key program areas:
- Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts
- Public involvement and participation
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination
- Construction site runoff control
- Post-construction stormwater management
- Pollution prevention for municipal operations
đź’° Funding & Reporting Needs
To meet MS4 obligations, Buffalo must allocate funds for:
- Staff training and certification (e.g., ISWEP programs)
- Public education materials and outreach campaigns
- Stormwater infrastructure maintenance and upgrades
- Monitoring, inspections, and enforcement of runoff controls
- Annual reporting and documentation to the Iowa DNR
Stormwater Management Training Materials
Stormwater Explanation
Street to Stream, No Treatment in Between.
When it rained a long time ago the water was soaked up into the prairie, or organic rich soils. Through time we have built our communities to include homes, and streets. These built surfaces are unable to infiltrate rainfall and instead has caused runoff to local streams. This is called Stormwater runoff, this water from rainfall or snow melt drains onto impervious surfaces like streets, driveways, and compacted soils. This runoff eventually makes its way to the street or a drain that leads to a stream then our neighboring Mississippi River. The issue that makes this difficult for the environment is the trash, chemicals and even significant amounts of water causing flash flooding along the way. The easiest way to help the environment is to slow the flow of runoff. Slower moving water gives time for the water to infiltrate into the ground naturally treating the water. Additionally slower moving water doesn’t allow trash and grasses to flood into streams and rivers. Adding a rain garden or detention basin to you home will help reduce runoff, to learn more about how you can help the environment see more information from ISWEP (Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership)
