Under the Clean Water Act (40 CFR 122) Jefferson Parish was required to apply for and obtain a permit to discharge stormwater runoff from the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) into waters of the United States (i.e. Lake Pontchartrain & Barataria Basins). Co-permittees for this LPDES Permit No. LAS000201 include Jefferson Parish, the municipalities of Gretna, Harahan, Kenner, Westwego, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development.

As required by the permit, Jefferson Parish has developed a stormwater management plan (SWMP) to control the discharge of pollutants into the stormwater drainage system.  The topics listed below further detail the elements of the SWMP.  For more information on the stormwater management program please contact: the Stormwater Supervisor at (504) 731-4612.

For more information from the EPA click on the programs below.

• Stormwater Basics 
• Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)  
• Best Management Practices 
• Construction Sites 
• Industrial Activities 
• Pesticide Application 
• Nonpoint Source Pollution 

The dumping of used motor oil and other wastes into storm drains is a major source of nonpoint source pollution to Lake Pontchartrain and the Bayou Barataria Basin.  Often it occurs because people do not understand the connection between storm drainage system discharges and the receiving water bodies.  Some people believe that the storm drains carry these wastes to a sewerage treatment plant.  Not true.  Storm drains ditches and canals carry untreated rainwater and all the pollutants picked up from the streets, lawns, parking lots and sidewalks (urban runoff) directly to the lake or bayou - directly into habitats for fish and wildlife.

Consider this: One pint of oil poured into the lake creates a one-acre slick about the size of two football fields.  Nationwide at least 210 million gallons of used motor oil is dumped annually by do-it-yourself motor oil changers.  That is the equivalent of five (5) oil tankers like the Exxon Valdez spilling their entire load every year.  The Jefferson Parish Citizens Trash Drop Off Sites accepts used motor oil from households Tuesday thru Sunday from 9:00am to 5:30 pm (Daylight Savings Hours 10:00am to 6:30pm) at 400 David Dr., Metairie and 6440 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero (Entrance is on Betty Dr.)

In March 1991 the Jefferson Parish Council passed a resolution paving the way for a Parish-wide Storm Drain Stenciling Program.  This volunteer program was the first step in an educational effort aimed at reducing the impacts of urban runoff on Lake Pontchartrain and the Barataria basin.  The program involves organizing volunteers to place storm drain markers on the drains with the message DUMP NO WASTE DRAINS TO LAKE or BAYOU.

The program's goals are to increase public awareness about the connection between the drainage system and area water bodies and to prevent dumping of wastes such as used motor oil, detergents, pesticides, and paint down the storm drain.  To volunteer for the storm drain stenciling program or to obtain further information contact the Department of Environmental Affairs at (504) 731-4612.

Storm Water Leadership Awards Application