Stormwater Management

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MS4 Program Overview

The Department of Public Works / Engineering is responsible for the administration of the City of Bristol’s Stormwater Management Program. Discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) are regulated under the Virginia Stormwater Management Act and the Federal EPA Clean Water Act. The City of Bristol is a Phase II (small) MS4 operator permitted under the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP). Our permit requires us to work to reduce pollutants leaving our storm sewer system as much as possible.

We work to improve and protect the health and safety of the residents and the natural environment by constructing, maintaining, and monitoring the City's stormwater infrastructure. We also address stormwater quality and quantity concerns while striving to meet or exceed federal and state stormwater regulations. Our stormwater program is driven by the City's MS4 permit with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Minimum Control Measures

The VSMP MS4 General Permit requires that small MS4s develop, implement and enforce a program that includes six Minimum Control Measures.

  • Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts
  • Public involvement and participation
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination
  • Construction site stormwater runoff control
  • Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment
  • Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations

Best Management Practices

To meet these requirements, the City has developed a stormwater program plan with proposed Best Management Practices (BMPs). The goal of this plan is to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff on rivers and streams. The City's stormwater program plan and annual report describe the BMPs the City plans to implement to meet the requirements of the MS4 general permit.

Regulations

The Department of Public Works / Engineering is responsible for the administration of the City of Bristol's Stormwater Management program. Public Works / Engineering maintains the City's VSMP MS4 General Permit, ensuring compliance with State and Federal stormwater regulations. In compliance with the VSMP regulations found at 4VAC50-60-1240, the City’s permit documents have been made available.

TMDL Watershed Interactive Map

Contact Us

  1. stormwater logoContact Bristol Virginia's Stormwater Management



    For land disturbance and construction site issues:

    Please call the Engineering Department at 276-645-7247

    Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm 

    Click here to report potential illicit discharges, improper disposal, spills to the storm sewer system or other potential stormwater pollution concerns 


    You can also report illicit discharges or spills on this form

    Please note that form submissions are reviewed during regular business hours only.