The Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) owns, operates and maintains the Trout Brook Storm Sewer System, a “trunk conveyor” or interceptor storm sewer that receives runoff from the Cities of Saint Paul, Roseville, Falcon Heights and Maplewood as well as Ramsey County and Minnesota Department of Transportation.  Trout Brook is considered a regulated municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) that needs a stormwater discharge permit.  As part of the permit, CRWD is required to develop, implement and enforce a stormwater pollution prevention program (SWPPP) to control pollution, reduce peak flows and increase groundwater recharge so water quality of local receiving waters is protected.  

Click on one of the links below for more information.

Background

The Trout Brook sewer was constructed between the 1880's and 1950's and served as a combined sanitary and storm sewer.  In 1988 the combined system was separated and the Trout Brook Sanitary Interceptor was constructed nearly parallel to the old Trout Brook sewer to carry only wastewater to the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Upon completion, the old Trout Brook sewer remained as a storm sewer owned by the Metropolitan Council until it was transferred to Capitol Region Watershed District in 2006.

Description

                                                                                                                                                                                                              

The Trout Brook Storm Sewer consists of 6.5 miles of pipes and tunnels that have diameters of 6 to 13 feet.  The Trout Brook Storm Sewer receives majority of the runoff from the City of Saint Paul and it does not discharge directly to the Mississippi River; instead it connects to Saint Paul's trunk sewer, which then discharges into the river just downstream of Lambert's Landing.

 Stormwater Discharge Permit

Upon acquisition of the Trout Brook storm sewer system, the Capitol Region Watershed District was required to apply for a permit under federal Phase II Stormwater Rules for stormwater discharges from small MS4s located in urbanized areas.  The MS4 permit covers a five-year period.  For more information about the MS4 stormwater permitting program, visit EPA’s stormwater website or MN Pollution Control Agency’s stormwater website.  

SWPPP
As part of the permit application, CRWD developed a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) in 2006 to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable from the Trout Brook storm sewer, protect water quality of the Mississippi River, and meet requirements of the Clean Water Act.  The SWPPP has six required program elements known as “minimum control measures.”  The six minimum control measures are: 1) public education and outreach; 2) public involvement; 3) illicit discharge detection and elimination; 4) construction site stormwater controls; 5) post-construction stormwater management; and 6) pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.  To meet the goals of each minimum control measure, CRWD is required to design and implement best management practices (BMPs) as part of the SWPPP.      

To read CRWD’s SWPPP, click here.  2007 was the first full year of implementation of CRWD’s SWPPP.  For each permit year, CRWD will prepare an annual report summarizing progress made-to-date on accomplishing the BMPs, the proposed BMP work for the following year, and revisions to the SWPPP.  CRWD will present the annual report at a public meeting and solicit public comments on the SWPPP.  CRWD will then analyze public and staff recommended revisions to the SWPPP and if necessary, revise it accordingly.         

2007 Annual Report
The 2007 annual report is now available for review and public comment until May 9, 2008.  A public meeting will be held during the Board of Manager’s meeting on Wednesday evening, May 9^th to present the SWPPP and stormwater management activities in 2007 and receive public input_.  Click here to view the public meeting announcement.  If you need more information or have questions, please contact Anna Eleria, Water Resource Specialist. 

Education and Outreach on Stormwater BMPs

Public education and outreach is a key component to better stormwater management because polluted stormwater runoff originates from various activities and sources.  CRWD has created several educational materials as well as gathered a list of links to other resources for several of the minimum control measures.

Click on one of the links below for information.

CRWD Rules
Regulatory control of stormwater runoff including erosion and sediment control, post-construction stormwater management and illicit discharges and connections

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- IDDE Guidance Manual

Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
- MN Stormwater Manual
- Fact Sheet for Homeowners

Post-Construction Stormwater Management
- MN Stormwater Manual
- Protecting Water Quality in Urban Areas Manual
- Low Impact Development
- Raingardens
- Rain barrels

Stormwater Monitoring

Since 2006, CRWD has been monitoring the water quality of stormwater at the west and east branches and outlet of the storm sewer system.  CRWD also monitors four stormwater ponds located in the subwatershed: 1) Arlington-Jackson; 2) Sims-Agate; 3) Westminster-Mississippi; and 4) Willow Reserve.  Monitoring results show that phosphorus, sediments, bacteria, lead and copper are the pollutants of most concern.  For more information about stormwater monitoring results, click here to view map of monitoring sites and/or read the annual monitoring reports.       

Other Stormwater-Related Links

US Environmental Protection Agency
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
University of Minnesota Water Resources Center – Stormwater Management
Low Impact Development Center