Stormwater
Stormwater Management: A Guide for Parsons Residents
Welcome to the City of Parsons' official guide to stormwater management. Think of this as your one-stop shop for understanding what stormwater is, why it matters, and how you can play a vital role in keeping our local waterways clean and healthy. After all, when it rains, it pours... pollutants into our streams if we are not careful.
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is discharged untreated. Protecting our local streams and rivers from this pollution requires a partnership between residents, builders, and the City, all working together to improve and protect our water quality.
Illicit Discharge: Don't Be That Neighbor
An "illicit discharge" is any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. Basically, it's putting anything other than rain down the drain. This is a big no-no because our storm drains lead directly to our rivers and streams without any treatment.
The City of Parsons takes this seriously. Ordinance No. 6146 established Chapter 517 Stormwater Management of the City's Code of Ordinances, includes the following prohibitions:
Section 517.10: Prohibits illegal discharges.
Section 517-11: Prohibits illicit connections to the storm sewer system.
Section 517-12: Prohibits illegal dumping and littering.
How to Report an Illicit Discharge
If you see something, say something. Reporting potential illicit discharges helps us keep our water clean. Here's how you can report a concern:
Report a Concern Online: Use the "Report Concerns" link in the Quick Links menu on our website: https://www.parsonsks.com/report-issues
Call Us: You can always call the city directly using the phone number in the footer of the website: 620.421.7000
Best Practices for Residents
You have the power to protect our water quality. Here are some simple tips for your everyday activities:
Washing Your Car
That sparkle on your car shouldn't come at the cost of our streams. When you wash your car, remember:
Use a Commercial Car Wash: These facilities treat used water before releasing it.
Go Soapless: If you're just rinsing off dust, skip the soap.
Wash on the Grass: If you wash at home, do it on your lawn or another permeable surface so the soapy water can be absorbed by the soil.
Picking Up After Your Pet
We love our furry friends, but their waste is a major source of bacteria in our waterways. Whether you're in one of our beautiful parks, at home or just on a walk, please pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste in a trash can. We have several pet waste stations in our parks to make this even easier.
Managing Leaves and Grass Clippings
Your yard waste can cause big problems in our storm sewer system. Blowing leaves and grass clippings into the street can clog inlets and drains, leading to flooding. Plus, as they decompose in the water, they can harm aquatic life.
Bag It Up: Bag your leaves and grass clippings and set them out with your regular trash service.
Bulk Collection: For 10 or more bags of yard waste, or for bundled tree limbs, visit our Sanitation webpage to learn about your options for bulk trash collection and using the brush dump.
Keeping Our City Clean
Litter, trash, and debris are not just an eyesore; they are a direct source of pollution.
Trash and Debris: For information on bulk trash services and the brush dump, please visit our Sanitation webpage.
Hazardous Household Waste: For information on how to properly dispose of hazardous materials, please visit the Oswego, Kansas, Household Hazardous Waste Program website.
Construction and Post-Construction Stormwater Requirements
The City of Parsons is growing, and we want to do it responsibly. That's why we require construction projects that disturb over an acre of land, or less than an acre if it's part of a common plan of development, to manage their stormwater. This includes:
Temporary Erosion and Sediment Controls: These are measures like silt fences and filter socks that are used during construction to prevent dirt and other pollutants from leaving the site.
Permanent Post-Construction BMPs: These are permanent features, such as filter strips and infiltration trenches, that are designed to capture the first half inch of rain and the pollutants that come with it.
The City has adopted the KDOT Temporary Erosion Control Manual and the Stormwater Control Measure Manual to guide these efforts.
What the City Does to Protect Water Quality
The City of Parsons is committed to protecting our water resources. Our efforts are guided by a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). As a requirement of this permit, we maintain and implement a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) that outlines the specific actions we take to reduce pollution and protect water quality.
You can view these documents to learn more about our program:
City of Parsons MS4 Permit
City of Parsons Stormwater Management Plan (SMP)
If you have any questions or comments regarding our Stormwater Management Program, we encourage you to let us know by using the "Submit Questions or Comments" form at the bottom of this page or here: https://www.parsonsks.com/contact-us
Stormwater Rates
Residential stormwater utility rates are a flat fee of $3.50, and commercial stormwater utility rates are a flat fee of $4.50. Proceeds from this federally mandated utility go toward the city's storm sewer replacement fund, helping us maintain and improve the system that protects our properties and the environment.
