Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program

Missed the 2025 Annual Stormwater Pollution Prevention Meeting on May 22?Image of Council Stormwater Pollution Prevention Annual Meeting 2024

To provide feedback on the 2025 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, click here to complete a short web form.

Questions? EngineeringInfo@ighmn.gov

Protecting Our Water Resources

Inver Grove Heights is fortunate to have an abundance of surface water resources. The City is dotted with wetlands and lakes, and the Mississippi River is the City’s eastern border. These resources are essential to the health of the area’s water table and need to be protected from pollution.

Over the years, our City has adopted a number of policies to protect our water resources for current and future residents. Not only do these policies help protect water quality, but they also prevent property damage due to flooding.

As part of our program to protect water resources, the City applied for and received a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water permit in 2003. 

A Plan to Control Water Pollution

This federal permit requires that the City, develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to reduce the discharge of pollutants from its storm sewer system as much as possible. The City’s plan must include the following measures:

  • Public education and outreach by the City
  • Public participation and involvement 
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination
  • Construction site runoff control
  • Post-construction site runoff control
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping measures

Goals Measured Annually

The City must identify Best Management Practices (BMPs) and measurable goals associated with each measure. Our Municipal Storm Sewer Systems Annual Report provides a summary of the City’s compliance with the stormwater permit and its progress toward goals.

Please direct questions about the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to the City Engineer. 

How Can Residents Help Protect Our Waters?

The Storm Drain Stenciling Program is a new initiative by the the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO). Residents can make their mark on storm drains around IGH and remind the community that what goes into storm drains will end up in nearby waterways. The LMRWMO is now recruiting groups of all sizes to participate.

Local Stormwater Impacts

Did you know that right under your feet there are 106 miles of storm pipe and 5,200 storm drains? 

Each year, our residents have the opportunity to learn how the City protects natural water resources in IGH and provide input. 

The City reviews the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and provides an opportunity for residents to learn about best management practices and stormwater impacts to the City and provide input on stormwater issues as they pertain to the City's SWPPP.