Storm Water

EPA and ADEQ Regulations:

Storm Water is a very important issue nationally, statewide, and for the City of Benton. Federal standards as defined by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Clean Water Act dictate requirements that must be met. In turn, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) further define state and local requirements. Cities must meet strict regulations and standards and are required to monitor their municipal storm water sewer system (MS4) discharges and closely assess residential, commercial, and industrial users of the system of drainage channels, creeks, and streams. The city and state have laws and Ordinances that dictate requirements for evaluating construction, approving permits, inspection, and reporting regarding control of storm water run-off and other discharges from construction sites, businesses and residential areas.   

Listed below are pertinent website links, documents, and information where storm water is referenced and important for you to reference in seeking approvals from the City of Benton and ADEQ. 

• https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/permits/npdes/stormwater/
• https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program
• ADEQ Impaired Water Bodies 303 (d) List---Saline River
  • public-notice 303(d) list.pdf 
  • executive-summary 303(d) list.pdf  
  • 2018-draft-list-public-notice.pdf      

City of Benton helpful Contacts, Links to Ordinances and Information:

NOTICE: No work can be started in a drainage channel or creek unless ADEQ is first contacted and a permit or Short Term Activity Authorization (STAA) is acquired from ADEQ. This is especially important if equipment of any kind is to be used. Contact the Streets & Drainage Storm Water staff if contemplating doing any work within a drainage channel or creek/stream. Other permits may also be required. ADEQ can levy fines for doing work without their authorization.  

• Storm Water Program, Project and Control Fees Ordinance 64 of 2006
  • Ordinance 64 of 2006

• Street Construction and Drainage systems Ordinance 5 of 1998
  • Ordinance 5 of 1998 

• Subdivision Regulations Ordinance 66 of 2013
  • Ordinance 66 of 2013

• Zoning Regulations Ordinance 14 of 2017
  • Ordinance 14 of 2017

• Fees Charged by the City Ordinance 76 of 2009
  • Ordinance 76 of 2009

• Clearing & Grading Permit
  • COB Clearing _ Grading Permit Application

• Retaining Wall Permit 
  • Retaining Wall Permit _ Supplement

• Fence Permit 
  • Fence Permit _ Supplemental

SWPPP submission requirements when seeking approval for any building permit or Development: 

You must submit a completed Storm Water Prevention Pollution Plan (SWPPP) with your building permit or development application. The information below will assist you in using the correct forms to successfully obtain approval from the City of Benton and ADEQ Storm Water Permits and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP).

• For sites with 1Acre or more but less than 5 Acres of disturbed area, you must complete the ADEQ notice, SWPPP, and certification and submit them to ADEQ in order to obtain approval to be covered. Provide a hard copy and PDF of your application to the city. Once ADEQ has approved, provide a hard copy of the approval notice to the City of Benton. A link to ADEQ’s website is not sufficient.
  • SWPPP(equal to greater 1 ACRE and less than 5 ACRES-ADEQ)

What Residents & Business Owners Can Do to Be Ready for that Next Rain Event:

You should keep in mind that the majority of homeowners experience storm water drainage issues that affect their house or their property even if your property is not within a designated special flood hazard area or floodplain. This fact is oftentimes the result of the lack of maintenance with a drainage system that is near or crossing private property. The city conducts a great deal of maintenance within designated easements and right-of-ways but it is also residents who must also perform key maintenance when drainage systems reside within their property.   

• Rake up and bag leaves as often as possible before storms. Leaves clogging storm drains are the primary source of most flood occurrences. Do not dump or throw anything into drainage ditches or streams—it is a violation of the City Ordinance. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug channels and outfall structures. Blocked drainage ways simply cannot carry water, and when it rains the water has to go somewhere. Every piece of litter contributes to flooding. Do not dump or throw anything into drainage ditches or streams:  Not only is it a violation of City codes, it is the primary source of flood occurrences in Benton. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug channels and outfall structures. Blocked drainage ways simply cannot carry water, and when it rains the water has to go somewhere. Every piece of litter contributes to flooding. It also helps to clean drains around your home, including roof gutters, downspouts, drain inlets, pipes, drainage ditches and driveway culverts. If you discover a drainage course that is not functioning, please contact the City’s Street Department at (501) 776-5990.
• Clean drains around your home, including roof gutters, downspouts, drain inlets, pipes. Drainage ditches and driveway culverts.
• Do not construct driveway ramps in street gutters.
• Maintain Detention and Retention Ponds clean and clear of obstructions and remove silt build-up every 2-3 years to maintain optimal and designed storm water storage capacity. Also check and clear the pond’s discharge pipe and spillway annually. Every detention pond is designed to empty within 24 hours of a rain event. Larger storms or multiple heavy rain events within a 24 hour period may extend the time for a detention pond to empty and usually will dictate special attention and/or more frequent monitoring and maintenance.

• Obtain permits before building:  Development in the City of Benton is carefully regulated, and any construction that takes place, inside or outside the building, requires permits from the City. If you have any questions about permits or whether you need permits, call the Community Development Department at 501-776-5938. Always check with the Community Development Department (776-5938) before you build on, alter, regrade, or fill on your property. Permit(s) may be required to ensure that projects do not cause more problems for you or for other properties downstream.
• If you do not have flood Insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage from floods.
• Get at least three quotes on flood insurance.