Page 6 - Southern Exposure - September '20

Page 6, Southern Exposure
Page 6, Southern Exposure

northern noteS

What Is NPDES?

By Katie Roundtree, Finance Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

What is NPDES and Always remember, nothing pbco-npdes.org/) as well as a website designed to educate
what does it stand for? You but storm water belongs in the public about keeping pollution out of our waters, www.
see the initials mentioned at the storm drains. Please see stormwaterandme.org.
the bottom of every article our website, www.npbcid. NPDES tip: If you suspect a discharge or spill is
Northern Palm Beach org, for more information hazardous, call 911! For all other discharges, spills and
County Improvement on the NPDES program. illegal dumping, call the local entity responsible for the
District (Northern) sends See the Helpful Links stormwater system (a reporting list may be found at www.
in to the newspaper. section for information stormwaterandme.org) or call the FDEP Environmental
NPDES stands for National on the Palm Beach County Crimes toll-free number (1-877-2-SAVE-FLA or #DEP
Pol l u t i o n Di sc h a r g e NPDES program (http://www. from your cellular phone).
Elimination System. It is a
federal program designed
to eliminate stormwater pollutant discharges to receiving
waters of the United States. In 1987, the Environmental
Protection Agency developed regulations governing
stormwater discharge requirements under the Clean Water
Act. In 1990, the Federal Register indicated that the Palm
Beach County area was to begin compliance with the
program.
About 40 local governments from around Palm
Beach County have taken a cooperative approach to
compliance, jointly conducting several activities and
collectively developing a number of tools used to carry
out pollution prevention programs. Each year, the lead
permittee (Northern Palm Beach County Improvement
District) enters into interlocal agreements with each of
Tradition never
the remaining local governments to oversee the joint Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur
activities. A steering committee, composed of individuals Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 19 Sunday, Sept. 27 & Monday, Sept. 28
tasted so delicious.
representing local governments that participate in the
program, advises Northern on the various activities. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, Sept. 15. Orders must be placed by Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Contractors are required to maintain their construction
sites so that debris is contained and any sediment laden Call to make Rosh Hashanah reservations; seating is limited.
water will not find its way to the waterways nearby. If
you’ve ever driven by a construction site, you may have Order online and pre-pay for convenient curbside pick-up.
noticed hay bales or tubes placed around street drains. Visit toojays.com or your local restaurant to see a full menu.
This is to help keep any construction debris and/or soil
out of those drains. The hay bales and tubes act as filters
so that only clean water runs into the drains. Either the
contractor or the engineer inspecting the site is required
to file reports on the contractor’s compliance with the
program. In addition, companies that spray chemicals into
the canals and lakes in order to maintain aquatic weeds,
are required to report the use of those chemicals and if
there were any spills each month. The reports are given Jupiter: 4050 U.S. Hwy #1 South • (561) 627-5555
to Northern staff for review and proof that the regulations Palm Beach Gardens: 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave • (561) 622-3262
are being followed. Northern staff use these reports to
prepare an annual compliance document.
How can you help? By knowing the facts and being
aware, you can help clean up our lakes and waterways.
Some examples include, store materials in enclosed
or covered areas, prevent liquids from leaking out of
the trash area, never clean paint brushes or rinse paint
containers into the street or storm drain and keep vehicles
and equipment in good working order to prevent leaks.

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