When precipitation falls from the sky, it forms puddles and rills of water that flow across yards, paved lots, and fields into our streets and storm sewers. Along the way, it picks up pollutants such as oil, salt, pesticides, bacteria, and sediment that can cause pollution. Ultimately, the majority of that water ends up in our streams and rivers.

Effective management of this stormwater runoff and the fulfillment of stormwater regulatory requirements dictate the need for the City of Circleville to adopt a comprehensive approach to stormwater management that ties together stormwater quantity control with quality protection, as well as protection of the stream channels, riparian corridors, flood plain management, habitat preservation, and habitat restoration.

In 2022, the Circleville City Council passed specific revisions to our Codified Ordinances relating to Stormwater Management. You can find Ordinance 1193.05 here, and Ordinance 925.181 here.

The City of Circleville Stormwater Program operates under a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit (PDF) issued by the Ohio EPA. The permit requires that the City develop a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) (PDF)  that addresses six focused areas:

1. Public Outreach
2. Public Participation
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
5. Post-Construction Storm Water Management
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

These programs are all focused on water quality issues that may impact our streams.  You can do your part by practicing your own good housekeeping.  Don’t sweep grass clippings into the street, minimize your use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, and don’t litter.  For more hints, download our current brochure.

Additionally, the following is a list of Storm Water related documents that may be helpful:

You can find our Annual Report here.

If you are a home builder, you can find erosion control tips here.

If you are a developer, you can find our Guidance Document and Plan Review checklist here.

If you are a landowner, you can find our BMP checklist here.

Illegal dumping into the storm sewer can cause pollution. To report illegal dumping, or for any stormwater-related complaint, please call our office at 740-477-8224 or email.