Stormwater Department - Robert Haley (615) 848-3200

2011 Overall Creek Watershed “Tree Day”

Overall Creek watershed property owners are encouraged to pick up trees this spring to help provide vegetation on the land that drains to Overall Creek and its tributaries including Puckett Creek. Information containing more details will be mailed to property owners in January 2011.

A recent stream assessment conducted on the watershed further exhibited the benefit of having a healthy vegetated corridor along a stream. Recent development ordinances require a segment of undisturbed vegetation along a stream. Undisturbed vegetation helps regulate water temperature, bank stabilization, and provide habitat for aquatic life. Since a portion of the Overall Creek watershed has been developed since this Water Quality Protection Area (WQPA) was instituted, the assessment was informative in seeing whether or not the WQPA was effective in protecting stream quality. Unofficial results show that the WQPA was effective in protecting the stream in many areas of recent development. Due to the amount of sinkholes and the overland drainage, Overall Creek has a lot of land draining to it whether underground or above. Trees planted throughout the watershed can help keep Overall and Puckett Creek in good condition.

Stormwater Ordinance Stakeholder Survey and Results

On Feb. 22, the City of Murfreesboro posted a web-based questionnaire on the City's stormwater quality ordinance and various related stormwater program requirements. The survey ended March 19, and the results have been compiled into a report.

Post-construction Storm water Quality Standards  

Federal and state stormwater rules require the City of Murfreesboro to implement post-construction runoff standards. As implemented in Murfreesboro, this includes a total suspended solids (TSS) reduction standard, rate and volume control, and administrative mechanisms for ensuring good installation and inspection and maintenance of the controls long-term. Here is a summary of the requirements and a set of forms.

Small-site Development Options

Do you have a development proposed in the City of Murfreesboro less than two acres of imperviousness (rooftop, paving and sidewalks, for example)? If so, you can meet the City’s post-construction requirements of 80 percent total suspended solids (TSS) removal and Stream Bank Protection requirement by using Low Impact Development (LID) techniques as outlined in the linked technical memorandum.

This memo details certain LID design practices that will allow the site to discharge less than two cubic feet per second (cfs), which qualifies it as a “small site”. If you can provide us the detailed calculations using other LID techniques that demonstrate less than two cfs post-developed runoff and 80 percent TSS removal, then City staff will review your submittal and consider your alternative “small site” option.”

Storm Water Quality and Surface Water Quality Protection

Along with other City departments, part of the mission of the Water and Sewer Department is storm water quality and surface water quality protection.

The city is regulated under State and Federal rules to implement a storm water quality program in six minimum measures and more.

Six minimum measures:

• Public education and outreach on storm water impacts
• Public involvement / participation
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Construction site storm water runoff control
• Post-construction storm water management in areas of new development and redevelopment
• Pollution prevention / good housekeeping for municipal operations

Surface water quality improvement projects:

• TMDL implementation
• Stream restoration
• Stream monitoring.New Post-Construction Storm Water Standards

The City has adopted a standard that new development and redevelopment incorporate stormwater management systems that will capture on site 80 percent of the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) that would otherwise be washed off site in storm events.

Design principles and technical guidance to accomplish these standards and reduce storm water fees:

• Stormwater Controls Manual
• Stormwater Planning and Low Impact Design Guide

See the Design Manuals and Maintenance Plans and Agreements for more information.

Codes and Ordinances

City Code Chapter 27½ Storm Water Management - Establishes requirements of major aspects of stormwater program, including Land Disturbance permits and EPSC plans, concept plans, management plans, post-construction runoff quality standards, Water Quality Protection Areas (stream buffers) and stormwater user fees.

Adopt a Stream

Adopt a stream in your neighborhood and make a difference in your community! Adoptions are for a period of 2 years and require at least one stream cleanup per year and the stenciling of storm drains leading to the adopted stream segment. A sign acknowledging the adopting group and stream as well as supplies and trash removal are provided by MWSD.

Storm Drain Labeling
The City is soliciting volunteer groups – for example, schools, scouts, churches, neighborhood groups, adopt-a-stream groups – to perform labeling of storm drains with an environmental message; “Don’t Dump – Drains to River”. Minimum group size of 3. A labeling group walks a street or neighborhood, applying the 4 inch round, aluminum labels to storm drain inlets with an adhesive. The City supplies the materials for labeling. Labels inform passers-by that storm drains lead directly to the river or local creek. Whatever washes off properties and roads ends up in the river. Cities withdraw water from rivers for drinking water supply. Storm water pollution results in higher treatment costs for drinking water supply.

Creating a Streamside Buffer
These areas provide habitat to many plants and animals as well as decrease erosion and enhance the ecological integrity of the stream. Buffer zones provide many ecological functions, such as reducing flood impacts and erosion, water storage, improving water quality, restoring habitat, improving the beauty of the area and providing recreational activities. By planting trees, roots will take hold of the land and prevent erosion as well as filter out any pollutants. More vegetation growing alongside the river, especially trees, has a cooling effect on the river water. Cooler rivers reduce unwanted plant and algae growth in the river and render oxygen more accessible to fish.

Storm Water Areas to be Cleared of Sediment
Stormwater lines are scheduled to be cleared of trash and sediment within the next few weeks in the Lytle Creek and Town Creek basins. The cleaning will be performed by a jet vac truck. Cleaning the lines will prevent sediment from reaching the water, allowing the water to flow more easily into local streams, and help prevent future flooding problems.