University of Michigan-Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint is putting forth effort in the educating, enforcing, thinking and acting going beyond compliance! Protecting storm drains and stormwater from contaminants is done through a number of ways from: stenciling of storms drains, public awareness, employee training, utilization of best management practices, and looking into the future. The University of Michigan-Flint is continually looking for new ways to further improve water quality in the Flint River.

EHS educates university staff, students, and the public on the importance of storm water management and how it effects surface water quality and our vital ecosystems as part of of our Storm Water Management Plan and in compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Public Education and Outreach on Storm water Impacts - EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

UM Storm water Management video Part 1 and Part 2

Enforcement of environmental requirements is accomplished through a sustained and collaborative effort on behalf of the University's EHS, DPS, F&O, and many other department on the Flint and Ann Arbor campuses. One of the key programs that guide these activities include, but are not limited to the following:

• University of Michigan Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP)
• NEW University of Michigan's NPDES Annual Report -September 2012
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and MS4 Permits (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems)
• Spill Prevention Control Countermeasure & Pollutant Incident Prevention Plan (SPCC & PIPP)
• Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) - UM OSEH Procedure
• Environmental Due Care 
• Proactive UM Contractor Safety Requirements
• UM-Flint Project Management incorporates an environmental review into the project management design and implementation process.

These programs work together to help improve storm and surface water quality.

How can we further enhance our collective efforts in stormwater management and surface water protection?

• Improving UM-Flint water discharge quality.
• Consistent monitoring and protecting of storm drains by university staff.
• Utilizing Best Management Practices (BMP's) or improving standard operating procedures.
• Containment of work site.
• Monitor and enforce BMP's internally and with contractors.

Best Management Practices

Expanding our environmental stewardship of our campus community and pushing to further improve environmental quality, particularly water quality of the Flint River and the Flint River Watershed is beneficial to ensure the future of our natural resources.