Protect your community. Proper care and maintenance of your stormwater system help retain and control localized flooding and prevent polluted runoff from reaching our lakes. Be sure to:

• Inspect your stormwater systems monthly
• Clear inflow/outflow structures
• Clean up trash and debris from storm drains
• Repair eroded side slopes and damaged structures
• Remove excess vegetation, including floating debris and grass clippings, from ponds and control structures
• Remove excess sediment and accumulation from bottom of ponds

Stormwater pollution is a serious issue. When it rains, stormwater that does not seep into the ground becomes stormwater runoff which has the potential to pick up the pollutants it encounters along the way and transport them to our lakes, streams and wetlands. These pollutants, such as trash, oil, sediment, fertilizers and other chemicals, have the potential to cause harm to our surface waters which we all rely on for their recreational and economic value.

The Federal Government recognized this concern and established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, a federally mandated Clean Water Act program that regulates stormwater discharges with the goal of reducing the impact of stormwater runoff on our surface waters.

Orange County, as the operator of a large Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), has the responsibility to help protect our surface waters from the impact of stormwater runoff by educating our citizens, visitors and businesses about stormwater pollution and how to prevent it.

• Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste appropriately.
• Follow the Fertilizer Management Ordinance.
• If you live on a lake, prevent stormwater pollution by reducing runoff from your yard with berms, swales, vegetation and other proven methods.
• Help end littering.
• Maintain your pool and spa so that chemicals do not come in contact with stormwater or go into storm drains. Ensure discharge water is chlorine-free and contaminant-free before draining and keep discharge on your property. Store pool chemicals in a clean, dry and covered area.
• Manage yard waste; carelessly discarded landscape debris that is blown into the street or piled/bagged incorrectly for collection is a rich source of unwanted nutrients for waterbodies. Visit Residential Curbside Collection to learn about collection services. For the City of Orlando get the schedule for yard waste pick-up for your area.
• Pick-up after your pet.
• Report pollution.
• Use Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ practices.
• Volunteer to label storm drain inlets. Email evip@ocfl.net.
• Green up your yard, not Wekiva Springs. Visit MyYardMySprings.org to find out more.

Stormwater Systems should be maintained to provide the necessary pollutant removal.

Contractors and facility managers can refer to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website for compliance information regarding construction sites and existing private or commercial and industrial sites.

For new development, contact EPD@ocfl.net for instructions on required storm drain inlet labeling.

Environmental Protection Division
3165 McCrory Place, Suite 200
Orlando, FL 32803

Email: EPD@ocfl.net
Phone: (407) 836-1400
Fax: (407) 836-1499

All e-mail sent to this address becomes part of Orange County public record. Comments received by our e-mail subsystem can be read by anyone who requests that privilege. In compliance with "Government in the Sunshine" laws, Orange County Government must make available, at request, any and all information not deemed a threat to the security of law enforcement agencies and personnel.