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In developed areas such as Blaine, impervious surfaces such as pavement, rooftops, and yards prevent rain and snow melt from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, this water, known as stormwater runoff, runs into the storm drains, ditches, and eventually the Mississippi River.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines Stormwater Management as the effort to improve water quality and reduce the amount of runoff into streets, lawns, and other sites.
The City of Blaine has a stormwater management system that not only improves water quality and reduces the amount of runoff, but also provides flood control for the city.
A 1987 amendment to the Clean Water Act required implementation of a two-phase comprehensive national program to address polluted stormwater runoff.
Phase I, which regulated large construction sites, 10 categories of industrial facilities, and cities with a population of over 100,000 people was implemented in the early 1990s.
Phase II was implemented in 2003 to include construction sites between one and five acres as well as cities between 10,000 and 100,000 people. The City of Blaine was also required to obtain permits for stormwater management and separate the stormwater and sanitary sewer system.
Blaine is home to more than 700 stormwater ponds and infiltration basins that have been designed to remove pollutants from our runoff. Other methods of treating water pollution, known as Best Management Practices (BMPs), can be found all around Blaine. An Iron Enhanced & Bio-char Sand Filter was installed at intersection of Clover Leaf Parkway and Pleasure Creek Parkway in summer 2020.
Stormwater infrastructure is all around us, constantly being maintained and upgraded to become as efficient at removing pollutants as possible.
Learn more about current projects and the methods used to combat water pollution by visiting the links below.
Megan Hedstrom
Water Resources Coordinator
mhedstrom@blainemn.gov
Phone: 763-785-6188
Public Works
pw@blainemn.gov
Phone: 763-785-6165
The Clean Water Act (CWA), passed by the federal government in 1972 to clean and protect the nation’s lakes, streams, and rivers, was in need of modification by the 1990s. Regulators and environmentalists realized that even the every day activities of all residents had some impact on water quality.