Water Quality Program

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Water Resources issued the City of Chattanooga a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for the discharge of stormwater from the municipal storm drain system (MS4). Stormwater from the City discharges directly to the Tennessee River and to major creeks that ultimately drain to the Tennessee River. 

Chattanooga's current NPDES Permit was issued November 12, 2010 (effective December 1, 2010) and will expire November 30, 2015. 

The City's NPDES MS4 permit mandates the implementation of specific jurisdiction-wide management programs to control stormwater discharges to the "maximum extent practicable". Overall, the development and implementation of these programs have worked to reduce and minimize pollutants from entering streams from the MS4 drainage system. The NPDES Permit requires an annual system-wide report on the progress of Permit items. The Water Quality Program regurlarly maintains records of these Performance Measures.

Mission: To achieve 100% compliance with applicable Federal and State clean water laws and regulations, and to maintain and improve the condition and flow of the storm water infrastructure to address any existing or anticipated problem areas.