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| OAK PARK CONSERVANCY DISTRICT |
| Wastewater Treatment - Stormwater |
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 | Stormwater Stormwater Drainage Department
Mr. Bryan Wallace is the Superintendent of the Oak Park Conservancy District (OPCD) Stormwater Drainage Department. Mr. Wallace has been with OPCD since December 2003. Prior to that, Mr. Wallace worked for the Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District. He is a 2002 graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. He holds a Class III Wastewater Operators Certification and a Grade DSM Water Distribution Operator Certification, both issued by the State of Indiana.
In 2003, OPCD started a stormwater drainage department to meet an unfunded, federally mandated stormwater quality program called Phase II (more information on this program is below). Since that time, we have implemented a program to address the requirements of this water quality program. In addition, we have been addressing the problem of drainage reconstruction throughout the District.
Annexation
With the annexation finalized, OPCD and the City of Jeffersonville have been working cooperatively to solve drainage problems in the District. At the end of 2011, an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) was signed by the OPCD Board of Directors and the City of Jeffersonville City Council. The ILA states that the City of Jeffersonville has drainage jurisdiction over Lancassange Creek and the road right-of-ways; OPCD handles drainage issues in the easements. Also, OPCD has been working with City representatives to incorporate certain District drainage issues into the City Stormwater Master Planning that is currently taking place.
Where Do the Storm and Sanitary Sewers Go?
In OPCD, the storm sewer and sanitary sewer systems are separate.
· Water used from sources such as toilets, sinks, showers, and washing machines enter the sanitary sewer system and is treated at the OPCD Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), with the clean water being discharged to the Ohio River.
· Stormwater from sources such as driveways, rooftops, gutters, and streets enter the storm drainage sewer, which flows untreated directly into Lancassange Creek and ultimately the Ohio River.
As noted, our WWTP only accepts and treats sanitary sewer waste from homes and businesses in the District.
Why is the City Building a Canal?
In some sections of the City of Jeffersonville, there are combined sanitary and storm sewers. These sewers flow to their WWTP and are treated. However, during heavy rains, the WWTP can become overwhelmed with the additional flow and must release waste directly to the Ohio River, without treatment. These are known as Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not allow this, so the City of Jeffersonville and the EPA have a legal agreement about how to stop having these overflows. One method that has been proposed is the canal project.
OPCD does not have a combined sewer system, so we are not required to participate in this project or anything like it. Your OPCD sewer rates will not be affected by the City’s canal project (or similar project if the canal does not happen).
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or melting snow flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, streets, and rooftops prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. In our growing urban areas, problems arise when impervious areas not only prevent water from being absorbed, but help it run off at a much faster rate. Stormwater can accumulate, causing nuisance flooding and possible threats to public health and safety.
Stormwater can also pick up pollutants on its way to the storm drainage sewer system. Pollution from gasoline, oil, lawn fertilizers, litter, soils, and other contaminants are washed into this system. This polluted stormwater can harm aquatic life, reduce recreational opportunities for boating and swimming activities, increase water treatment costs, and create poor health conditions.
Rule 13, Phase II, and Stormwater Quality
In 2003, OPCD started a stormwater drainage department to meet an unfunded, federally mandated stormwater quality program called Phase II. Since that time, we have implemented a program to address the requirements of this water quality program. For general information about this program, please visit the EPA's website here.
OPCD received its first Stormwater NPDES Permit (INR040001) in 2003. Every five years, the permit is renewed with the State of Indiana. Part B is a baseline characterization report that describes OPCD land uses and areas of potential water quality concerns. Part C discusses what OPCD is doing to meet the requirements as set out in Rule 13 (327 IAC 15-13). OPCD renewed its permit in 2008 with the State of Indiana and provided an updated plan. During the next five year permit cycle, OPCD will be implementing the updated Part B and C plans. For more information on the OPCD Stormwater program, please visit the links below.
Currently, due to the annexation by the City of Jeffersonville, it is the position of the OPCD Board of Directors that the City of Jeffersonville is now responsible for the areas noted above that Clark County had jurisdiction over (Lancassange Creek and road right-of-ways). To this point, no formal Interlocal Agreement has been signed; however, Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan, has stated in public meetings that the City of Jeffersonville will be overseeing drainage in the road right of ways and the Lancassange Creek.
OPCD Rule 13 Part A, B, and C Updates 2008
5 Simple Steps to Keep Stormwater Clean • Don’t dump anything into storm drains. • Dispose of all trash and litter properly. • Clean up all automobile fluid spills and do not spray into the storm drain. • Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly.
• Pick up your pet’s waste; it is raw sewage.
Illegal Dumping If you see people illegally dumping pollutants and trash into the storm sewer system, please call our office at (812) 283-3960 and let us know! We have an after hours on-call person that can come to the site and address the situation, even during the evening hours. Clark County Solid Waste Management District to find out more about recycling in this county www.recycleclarkcounty.org Fun For Kids
Please visit the EPA's Environmental Kids Club website at www.epa.gov/kids. It has lots of information on recycling, plants and animals, air, water, and much more!
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