Policy Number: I-67
Last Reviewed: July 25, 2024
Responsible Dept.: Vice President of Financial & Administrative Services
A signed copy of this policy is available in the President’s Office.
Virginia Western Community College property stormwater is managed in accordance with its MS4 Stormwater permit and regulations issued by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The purpose of this policy is to define prohibited uses of the stormwater sewer system operated and maintained by Virginia Western.
Prohibition of non-stormwater discharge to the college storm sewer system(s)
The college prohibits any discharge to the college’s storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. A violation of this prohibition can result from any person doing the following:
- Cause or allow any non-stormwater discharges, including but not limited to the discharge of sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes, into the storm sewer system, or any component thereof, or onto streets, sidewalks, parking lots, or any other areas draining to the storm sewer system.
- Connect, or allow to be connected, any sanitary sewer to the storm sewer system.
- Discharge any materials or item other than stormwater to the storm sewer system by spill, dumping, or disposal of any type without a valid federal and/or state permit or unless otherwise authorized by law.
- Throw, place, or deposit or cause to be thrown, placed, or deposited in the storm sewer system anything that impedes or interferes with the free flow of stormwater therein.
The following non-stormwater discharges or flows occurring on campus shall only be considered illicit discharges if they are identified by the college as a significant contributor of pollutants discharging to the storm sewer system:
- Water line flushing, managed in a manner to avoid an instream impact;
- Landscape irrigation;
- Diverted stream flows;
- Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration;
- Uncontaminated pumped groundwater;
- Discharges from potable water sources, foundation drains, water from crawl space pumps, springs, footing drains;
- Air conditioning condensation;
- Street wash water;
- Discharges or flows from firefighting activities;
- Discharges from noncommercial fundraising car washes if the washing uses only biodegradable, phosphate-free, water-based cleaners; or
- Other activities generating discharges identified by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality as not requiring Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit authorization.
Flows that have been identified by the Department of Environmental Quality as de minimis discharges are not significant sources of pollutants to surface water.
In the event that a discharge or flow is found to cause pollutants to be discharged into the storm sewer system, the college shall so notify the person performing such activities, and shall order that such activities cease or be conducted in such a manner as to avoid the discharge of pollutants into the storm sewer system. The failure to comply with any such order shall constitute a violation of the college’s prohibition of non-stormwater discharges to the storm sewer system and the offending person may be subject to the college’s established disciplinary policies and sanctions. In the case that the non-stormwater discharge also is conveyed through the college’s storm sewer system to that of the downstream locality’s storm sewer system, the person may also be subject to the locality’s enforcement and penalties associated with local ordinances prohibiting non-stormwater discharges.
