As Council may recall, several stormwater projects were identified and approved in the City's 2014/2015 - 2018/2019 Capital Improvement Program. All of those stormwater projects included water quality elements to satisfy the City's current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the NPDES permit mandates that each permittee identify point source pollution and implement water quality improvements to reduce Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). A TMDL is the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be present and still allow attainment of water quality standards. These sources of impairment include, but are not limited to, septic systems, runoff from roadways, industrial facilities, and stormwater systems that collect runoff. The purpose of this study was to identify those levels and implement water quality elements for each area identified. Co-operative funding from several state agencies such as the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are available for stormwater projects that have water quality "best management practices" included based upon the type of TMDL identified. This type of study will place the City at a higher ranking for those funds on proposed stormwater projects submitted and assist the City in its effort to restore sensitive environmental areas such as the Pithlachascotee River.
Ms. Dana Gaydos the principal and Senior Environmental Scientist of Gaydos Hydro Services is present tonight to discuss the study and answer questions City Council may have.