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Storm Water Management

The goal of the City of Franklin’s storm water management program is to help regulate storm water discharges and reduce unwanted pollutants from entering our lakes and streams. Storm water runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, and lakes. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use storm water controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling it at its source.

In the State of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) administers the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) program in accordance with EPA regulations. The City of Franklin is a mandatory participant in the WPDES program. The purpose of the storm water permit is to encourage communities and residents to take an active role in preventing pollution from storm water runoff.

The Respect Our Waters program is promoting Winter Salt Awareness Week, January 22-26, 2024, to educate residents on salt pollution, how it affects our health and freshwater ecosystems, what’s being done, and how we can support local efforts. Experts in environmental justice, road maintenance, and ecology will discuss facets of this issue that impact your community through daily live streams from 12:30 to 1 pm on YouTube.

Salt is important for keeping people safe in bad winter weather. But if it is overapplied, it can harm the environment and damage our roads and bridges. Just 1 teaspoon of salt will pollute 5 gallons of water to a level that is toxic to freshwater organisms. Franklin is working this winter to implement the following smart salting practices: calibrating equipment, incorporating the use of salt brine, educating operators, and avoid the overapplication of salt.

You can help protect our freshwater resources by following the "4 S's" this winter: Shovel, Scatter, Switch, Sweep:

Shovel (or snowblow) as much snow as possible before spreading salt
Scatter salt so there is space in between the grains (no piles!)
Switch from salt to sand if the temperature is under 15 degrees Fahrenheit
Sweep up excess salt after the ice has melted

To learn more about salt pollution, how to reduce your impact on the environment, and what’s currently being done to address it, check out Winter Salt Awareness Week: January 22nd - 26th, a week-long virtual event with lunchtime live streams from 12:30 to 1 pm daily showcasing experts in the field of environmental justice, road maintenance, and ecology. See Winter Salt Awareness Week for complete details and to register for reminders.

1. Storm Water Regulations and Reporting

a. City of Franklin UDO 15-8.0600 Storm Water Management
b. Wisconsin Legislature NR 151
c. Wisconsin Legislature NR 216
d. Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Chapter 13
e. 2021 MMSD Annual Report
f. WPDES Permit (MS4) for City of Franklin (Root River)
g. 2022 MS4 Compliance Report
h. Wisconsin Legislature 283 - Pollution Discharge Elimination

2. Erosion and Sediment Control

a. City of Franklin UDO 15-8.0300 Construction Site Erosion
b. Fill/Soils Disturbing Permit
c. WDNR - Erosion Control
d. WDNR - Technical Standards
e. WDNR - Construction Site Inspection Report

3. Education and Resources

a. City BMP's and Green Infrastructure (GI)
b. BMP Inspection Templates
c. MMSD Green Infrastructure
d. MMSD Green Infrastructure O&M Guide
e. EPA Green Infrastructure Operation and Maintenance
f. Fresh Coast Guardians
g. Wisconsin Salt Wise
h. Root-Pike WIN (Watershed Initiative Network)
i. Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust, Inc.
j. WDNR - Native Plants
k. Residential Yard Care Tips (City of Madison)
l. Storm Water Management Wet Ponds