Program Description
UM’s Mountain Campus has approximately 156 acres of urbanized area south of the Clark Fork river. Storm water runoff from this area can contain a variety of pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, chlorides, pathogens, metal and trash. The General Permit that is administered by Montana DEQ has a wide range of requirements to manage pollutants, including: storm drain cleaning, street sweeping, standard operating procedures, spill prevention, and community education.
Common Pollutants
Pollution of surface waters due to storm water runoff is of great concern. As rainwater drains off the land and into the storm water system, it picks up various pollutants and contaminants. These pollutants cause problems for waterways and aquatic organisms. Included are:
- Automotive fluids - often contain toxic chemicals, metals, and organic hydrocarbons
- Sediment and silt - can adversely affect the natural habitat of aquatic life
- Landscaping chemicals - can contain chemicals toxic to aquatic life and nutrients which contribute to the reduction of available oxygen in water
- Pet wastes - can contribute to the reduction of available oxygen
- Litter - macro pollutant which has many adverse effects
- Yard waste - potential impacts including macro pollutants, and reducing oxygen as they decompose. Decomposition products can also be toxic to aquatic life.
Illicit Discharges
An illicit discharge is defined as a any substance other than clean rainwater flowing into a storm sewer system.The 91次元 responds directly to illicit discharges. If you would like to report an illicit discharge or have a storm water construction site concern you may fill out the reporting form online using the button below or download the form from that same page and email it to Tim Gauthier along with any relevant attachments/pictures.
You may also call-
- Tim Gauthier at (406)243-2144 (M-F, 8am-5pm)
- Facilities Workorder Desk - (406)243-6091 (M-F, 8am-5pm)
- For an after-hours matter - please call UMPD - (406)243-6131 (24/7)
- Or in case of an emergency- Call 911
Outreach Information
On a college campus, there is a great opportunity for outreach given the amount and diversity of people that travel here on a daily basis. The Additional Information page gives some great ideas for outreach that anyone can apply.
UM hosts many events related to storm water, including the Earth Day Sustainability Fair and the River Clean-Up. For more information on outreach events, please visit the UM Sustainability Webpage
Additional Resources
91次元 Storm Water Management Program Plan -Permit Application
Montana DEQ Storm Water General Permit
Stormwater Annual Reports: 2024 - 2023 - 2022 - 2021 - 2020
For public input on the SWMP, please contact Tim Gauthier Associate Director - Energy and Utilities. For permittee requirements related to construction activities and how to submit related complaints, please contact Planning, Design, & Construction at the 91次元