Stormwater

The City of Clarksville Storm Water Management intends to prevent excessive erosion, to control stormwater runoff quantity, and to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff to the maximum extent practicable. In addition to dealing with the potential for personal injury or property damage associated with the improper management of stormwater runoff.

The City of Clarksville is in an EPA phase two MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) which is a part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. NPDES protects water quality and reduces the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable satisfying the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Stormwater runoff does it matter?

Yes! As the population grows in Clarksville, urban development increases. This means more developed land, more people, and what comes with that is increase in stormwater runoff and pollution to Clarksville’s waters.

 Stormwater runoff that is unmanaged can:

  • Damage aquatic habitat.
  • Contaminate swimming areas.
  • Contribute to flooding and drought.
  • Degrade water quality.
  • Contaminate the drinking water.

What is the city doing about it?

We are enforcing federal, state, and local laws to control surface and groundwater pollution from runoff. 

Illicit Discharge

Storm sewer systems do not go to a treatment plant unlike sanitary sewer systems. It carries stormwater runoff directly into the Cumberland River Watershed and the Red River Watershed.

When rain falls on impervious surfaces like streets, roofs, driveways, etc. are picking up pollutants such as sediment from erosion, chemicals from motor vehicles, pet waste, yard waste, pesticides, fertilizers, trash, bacteria, and heavy metals. It is important for everyone to reduce what goes into stormwater so we can have healthy watersheds and ecosystem for drinking water, water activities, and the environment. Stormwater runoff is the leading threat to Clarksville's urban waters, streambeds, banks, and habitats. If you see illicit discharge please report it! (Example someone dumping things down the storm drains or sinkholes). Rain only down the drain!

What can you do? Be chemical-wise

Everything that you put in our drains or that goes into the ground around your home will get into the water supply. Things like fertilizers and household chemicals. So what can you do to help?  Try to use the minimum amount of bleach and/or detergent when you are washing clothes or dishes. Find environmentally friendly household chemicals and that are phosphate free detergents and soaps. When using a fertilizer or chemical pesticides, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and apply it only to those areas where it's absolutely needed. When it comes time to get rid of chemicals such as oils or paint properly contact the Montgomery County Bi-County Solid Waste Management. https://mcgtn.org/bi-county/hazardous-waste-collection-events  Never put them down your drains!

Don't Flush your medications

Do not flush any drugs or medications down the toilet/drains. For recommendations on proper disposal for all types of medications or drugs, visit the medication drops for proper disposal. http://www.cityofclarksville.com/index.aspx?page=755

Pet Waste

Pet waste needs to be cleaned up so it does not wash into our watersheds. When pet waste gets into our watersheds it can bring bacteria and parasites which can cause unwanted algal blooms and a potentially toxic environment for fish.

Litter

Loose trash will end up in our watersheds every time it rains. So when your out and about pick up loose trash and dispose of it properly. Do your part by keeping our watershed clean. 

More Information

For more information about the topic, check out the following websites: