Stormwater Management

The goal of the Public Education and Outreach Program is to increase public awareness of local water quality problems caused by urban environments. This ranges from education to helping individuals change their daily actions, to community activities supporting the stormwater program. This program takes into account pollutants commonly associated with the urban environment.

Are you polluting without knowing it?

Learn about common stormwater pollutants

Where do stormwater pollutants come from?

Find out about the Poop Fairy!

Learn about urban drainage flood control district!

2018 Stormwater Drainage Study update

Learn about our new stormwater murals!

Public participation/involvement is often discussed in the context of the public education measure because they share a common goal – reaching out to citizens to improve awareness and achieve program compliance. The distinction between the two programs is that public participation/involvement provides a conduit for citizens to participate in the development and implementation of the publicly funded stormwater program.

Get involved!

City events 

Environmental Advisory Board

Adopt a street

Take a selfie with stormwater art!

Illicit discharge is in essence illegal dumping. The goal of the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program is to reduce the frequency and impact of illicit discharges to the environment in which pollutants are intentionally or accidentally discharged into the storm sewer system. Documentation and supplementary material will provide greater insight to the process of illicit discharge elimination and types of illicit discharges and enforcement procedures laid out by the City of Westminster.

Find out more about illicit discharges

Which businesses are more likely to illegally discharge?

The goal of the Construction Sites Compliance Program is to reduce sediment and other construction-related pollutants from entering the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The city is committed to the enhancement and protection of existing development, streams, lakes, wetlands and rivers that may be impacted by sediment laden runoff and encourages builders to maintain the natural balance between sediment supply and transport.

It is also the city's policy to encourage erosion control by leaving land undisturbed as long as possible (by project phasing) and using temporary and permanent erosion control Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Under city code, the City of Westminster has the authority to issues Notices of Violation (NOV's) as well as Stop Work Orders for any developer or contractor that does not comply with sediment and erosion control measure requirements. All of our stormwater information related to construction sites can be found through eTrakIT.  Here is a list of contractors in 2018 that have a list of violations along with their respective eTrakIT identifications:

Although the City of Westminster is fairly strict concerning construction site non-compliance; we do pride ourselves on our compliance assistance within the program. City officials are here to serve the community and help in any way that we can, which is why our city inspectors are trained to not only point out issues with particular sites, but also help toward fixing these issues surrounding compliance in a way that can strengthen our community and culture in relation to the environment.  Supplemental material has been provided in the space below related to city expectations for construction compliance.

Apply for a Land Disturbance Permit

Land Disturbance Permit Submittal Requirements

Westminster Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) Kickoff and Initial Inspection

Westminster Stormwater Review Checklist

Land Disturbance Permit Modification Form

Construction Inspection Form

Operator Compliance Follow-Up Form

Training Opportunities

The goal of the Post-Construction Compliance Program for the City of Westminster is to implement planning procedures and enforcement mechanisms to reduce stormwater impacts resulting from areas of new development and significant redevelopment. 

Private storm sewer structures, such as ponds, bioswales and underground storage tanks must be properly maintained. The City of Westminster Engineering Division works directly with property managers, HOA's and commercial property owners to achieve this goal. Long-term maintenance of drainage structures is needed to ensure systems continue to function per designed, preventing flooding, erosion and water quality degradation of our local lakes and streams.

Property owners are required to inspect and maintain private ponds, bioswales and/or underground storage tanks. Inspections and repairs must be documented and available upon request. Additionally, businesses operating on the property are not allowed to discharge anything but naturally occurring stormwater runoff into the stormwater system. This includes preventing materials stored outside from leaking, draining, spilling or being dumped into the stormwater system. 

This includes preventing materials stored outside from leaking, draining, spilling or being dumped into the stormwater system. 

Post Construction Inspection Form

BMP Inspection and Maintenance Field Guide

Routine Extended Detention Basin Maintenance Video

Landscape Contractor Training Pamphlet

BMP Inspection and Maintenance Training Opportunities

BMP Certified Professionals

The goal of the Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations Program is to reduce the amount and type of pollution that is generated by municipal operations or from municipally-owned property.  The City of Westminster’s goal is to set an example in the community by preventing stormwater pollution while carrying out numerous municipal activities that have the potential to impact water quality. 

Fact Sheet