Programs and Services

Stormwater Management

Stormwater management means to reduce polluted rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as pavement and roofs, preventing it from entering streams, rivers, and coastal waters. The USF community implements best management practices (BMPs) to minimize our contribution to stormwater pollution. These are explained in the documents below:

• USF Annual Stormwater Press Release
• USF Stormwater Policy
• USF Stormwater Procedures
• USF Stormwater MS4 Permit

Illicit DischargeS

An illicit discharge is any discharge into a storm drain that is not composed entirely of stormwater. This means that anything other than rain that falls from the sky and enters a storm drain is an illicit discharge. Polluted stormwater runoff can enter the storm sewer system through curb inlet drains and grated inlets.

Illicit discharges are a problem because stormwater flows to waterways without any treatment. The stormwater that runs through USF’s storm sewer system enters Lake Behnke and other area streams, eventually reaching the Hillsborough River.

Examples of illicit discharges include wastewater from car washing and runoff from pressure washing. Always throw your waste into the appropriate trash or recycling containers and pick up litter observed on campus grounds to prevent it from entering the storm sewer system

Stormwater/Illicit Discharge Training and the Illicit Discharge Report Form are available at the links below.  Use the form below, or contact Environmental Health and Safety at 813-974-4036 to report illicit discharges or spills to the USF storm sewer system.  After normal business hours, contact the University Police  Department at 813-974-2628.

• Stormwater/Illicit Discharge Training
• Illicit Discharge Report Form

Stormwater Resources

If you have questions related to stormwater management at USF or would like more information, please refer to the references below or contact EH&S at 813-974-4036.

USF Stormwater Resources

• USF Community Good Housekeeping Practices
• Illicit Discharge Poster
• USF Stormwater FAQs

State Stormwater resources

• FDEP NPDES Stormwater Program
• Southwest Florida Water Management District

Federal StormWater Resources:

• EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program
• After the Storm-Hurricane Recovery
• Make your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution
• Stormwater and the Construction Industry
• Water Efficient Landscaping