The federal Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Endangered Species Act require the city to manage stormwater runoff to protect water quality in rivers and streams, protect watershed health, and protect groundwater as a drinking water resource. Portland’s investments in stormwater projects and programs are in response to these regulations as well as our local goals.

The city’s federal municipal stormwater permit (also called “MS4”) requires Portland to reduce stormwater pollution, and manage other programs that respond to water quality requirements. Environmental Services coordinates the city’s response to the federal permit, which covers stormwater drainage from about 15,500 acres of Portland’s land area.

Portland also has a Water Pollution Control Facilities (WPCF) permit issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which requires the city to protect groundwater quality in managing the city’s 9,000 sumps, or Underground Injection Controls (UICs).

The Stormwater Management Manual contains local requirements that apply to all development, redevelopment, and improvement projects on private and public property and in the public right-of-way to help protect the public stormwater system and meet clean water goals.