Construction Permitting

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated the establishment of a stormwater program as authorized under the Clean Water Act (1977) and the Water Quality Act (1987).  The Acts require urbanized cities and counties to implement a water quality program to protect our streams and rivers.  Hamilton County along with Collegedale, East Ridge, Lakesite, Lookout Mountain, Red Bank, Ridgeside, and Soddy Daisy agreed to form a multi-jurisdictional program, the Hamilton County Water Quality Program (the Program), under State of Tennessee NPDES Permit No. TNS075566.

The Program is required to educate the public on stormwater quality issues, facilitate public reporting of dumping or other water pollution problems, provide pollution report investigations, provide stormwater pollution prevention plans for municipal facilities, inventory stormwater outfalls and answer questions associated with the Program, the annual fee and other water quality issues.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Program became responsible for enforcing water quality regulations associated with erosion and sediment.  Land disturbing activity must be conducted in a manner that does not cause erosion or sediment loss from the property, specifically into the streets, storm drainage systems and streams. 

Sediment is Tennessee ’s leading pollutant of our streams and rivers.  Controlling the discharge of such pollutants to our streams and rivers is important in assuring that water quality in our area does not degrade. 

Site visits commonly occur in response to complaints, reports and referrals from other agencies.  A report which will indicate whether your site is in compliance or is in need of corrective action to prevent erosion and/or provide sediment control will be mailed after a site visit.  Please note any Required Action and Required Response as those requirements may be time sensitive.  Failure to act as directed can lead to civil penalties of $250 per incident plus three times the cost of the Program’s expenses to have the material removed and/or install required measures (Rules and Regulations Appendix B 2. (b)). 

Effective January 1, 2008, conducting land disturbing activity on greater than 1 acre, or less than one acre which is part of a larger common plan of development, will require a HCWQP Land Disturbing Activity Permit for erosion and sediment controls and a Runoff Management Permit for peak flow discharge controls and stormwater quality treatment.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to protect water quality in the HCSPCP area.  Please visit our website for Stormwater Rules and Regulations, Standard Operating Procedures, and the Interlocal Agreement at www.hamiltontn.gov/waterquality. If you have any questions please feel free to call our office at 209-7851.