Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP)

Regulatory Background and SWQMP Goals

The Town of Zionsville has a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) which is a series of pipes and structures which are designed to provide drainage by conveying stormwater runoff (rainwater) to local waterways.  The Town is required under the federal Clean Water Act and Indiana state law (327 IAC 15-13) to maintain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit which regulates stormwater discharge from the MS4 .  To maintain compliance with the permit, Zionsville must implement a Stormwater Quality Management Plan that is designed to minimize the amount of pollution in stormwater discharges to help protect our local lakes and streams and to promote good community stewardship of these precious resources.  Stormwater pollution is also known as "non-point" source pollution as it originates from a variety of sources throughout the watershed including, but not limited to, construction sites, industrial and commercial facilities, roads and parking lots, agriculture and even your own back yard.  Common pollutants include sediment, gas and oil, nutrients (fertilizer), bacteria (E. coli), trash and even yard waste such as leaves and grass clippings.

A critical component of any effective water quality program is educating the community about water quality problems and informing people about what they can do to prevent pollution and have a positive impact on local water quality. Below you will find information about our water quality program activities and also links to water quality information and a variety of other resources.
Amended Parts
The Town of Zionsville has amended Parts B and C of its Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) under its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The SWQMP outlines efforts to reduce the amount of pollution carried by storm water runoff into local streams, lakes and reservoirs.

Part B contains the baseline characterization report of our community relating to multiple factors influencing water quality. Part C contains information specific to our local programs and activities designed to reduce the amount of water-borne pollution within our community.
In January of 2005, the Town of Zionsville, as a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS-4) entity, submitted to IDEM it’s SWQMP Part C. This narrative describes the activities that the Town will endeavor to accomplish to improve water quality in our community and surrounding areas. This plan is subject to change as strengths and weaknesses are identified in the future. Please view the SWQMP Part C Narrative.

Related Documents

  1. Part B Update Baseline Characterization Report
  2. Part B Update Exhibit 1 – MS-4 Boundary Map
  3. Part B Update Exhibit 2 – MS-4 Receiving Waters 14-digit HUCs and Wetlands
  4. Part B Update Exhibit 3 – Generalized Land Use Map
  5. Part C Update Program Implementation

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Reports

In accordance with 327 IAC 15-13, the Town of Zionsville is required to submit annual reports to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. This report documents the steps taken by the Town to reduce the amount of pollution carried by storm water runoff into our streams, lakes and reservoirs.

2017

  1. Zionsville MS4 Annual Report with Exhibits_2015-2017

2015

  1. Rule 13 Annual Report 2015

2012

  1. Rule 13 Annual Report 2012

2010

  1. Rule 13 Annual Report 2010
  2. Attachment 1 UWRWA 2009-2010 Summary Report
  3. Attachment 2 Zionsville Parks Department Nature Center Programs
  4. Attachment 3 Zionsville Rule 6 Industry List
  5. Attachment 4 Zionsville Programmatic Indicators

2007

  1. Rule 13 Annual Report 2007
  2. 2007 NPDES Phase II MS-4 Report
  3. Boundary Map
  4. Programmatic Indicators

2006

  1. 2006 NPDES Phase II MS-4 Report
  2. Ongoing Water Quality Characterization Activities and Boundary Maps
  3. 2006 Programmatic Indicators

NPDES Permit Renewal

The Town of Zionsville has submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to comply with 327 IAC 15-13 (Rule 13) to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to renew the town’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The town is required to maintain NPDES permit coverage allowing for the discharge of stormwater to waters of the state of Indiana.

This will be the town’s third consecutive 5-year permit. The town was also required to submit an updated Part A of its Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) as a part of the permit renewal process.


  1. Rule 13 NOI Zionsville 2013
  2. Rule 13 SWQMP Part A Zionsville 2013