Stormwater

Stormwater Management Policy (html) Stormwater Management Policy (pdf) These Best Management Practices (BMPs) will ensure cleaner streams and rivers, and a cleaner Athens. 1. Landscaping, Gardening & Pest Control 2. Food Service Industry 3. Automotive Maintenance & Car Care 4. Heavy Equipment & Earth Moving Activities 5. Detention Pond Maintenance 6. Home Repair and Remodeling Brochures Storm Water Facts (pdf) Not to the Fish (pdf) Stop Mosquitoes (pdf) Watershed Litter Program (pdf) Links Keep McMinn Beautiful TN Dept. of Environment and Conservation TN Div. of Water Pollution Control TN Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook TVA Native Plant Selector NPDES Storm Water Permit Program NPDES Storm Water Phase II - Menu of BMPs Storm Water Discharges Permitting Stormie's Clean Water Tips The EPA’s Office of Water EPA's Kids Link Center for Watershed Protection

Athens has two distinctly different sewer systems--the sanitary sewers and the storm drains. The storm drainage system is designed to prevent flooding by carrying excess rainwater away from streets, homes, and businesses. Because the system contains no treatment mechanism, it also serves the unintended function of carrying urban pollution straight into our streams.

Rain, industrial and household water mixed with urban pollutants creates storm water pollution. The pollutants include: oil, and other automobile fluids, paint and construction debris, yard and pet wastes, pesticides, sedimentation, and litter.

Urban runoff pollution flows to the Oostanuala and Mouse Creeks through the storm drain system that takes water and debris straight from the streets to our streams. Each time it rains, tremendous amounts of polluted urban runoff enters our streams untreated, leaving toxic chemicals in our creeks and river and tons of trash along their banks.

Urban runoff contaminates our streams and rivers, harms aquatic life and increases the risk of flooding by clogging storm drains and catch basins. Overall, storm water pollution cost this country millions of dollars per year.

Spill Response

Athens Fire Department - 911
Athens Public Works - (423) 744-2745
Tennessee Division of Water Pollution Control (423) 634-5745

Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Athens Recycling Center - (423) 744-2748
Keep McMinn Beautiful - (423) 745-2086

To Report Illegal Dumping

Athens Community Development - (423) 744-2753
Athens Public Works - (423) 744-2745
Keep McMinn Beautiful - (423) 745-2086
McMinn County Executive - (423) 745-7634

To Report a Drainage Problem

Athens Public Works - (423) 744-274

Athens Stormwater Ordinance: Click Here to Review Athens City Ordinance #922 Concerning Stormwater Management Within the City Limits.

Athens Stormwater System Mapping: Click Here to See Maps and Read an Overview of the Athens Stormwater System Mapping Project.