What does the Water Quality Program do?

• We manage surface water quality within the City of Chattanooga
•  This includes both our natural water bodies, such as streams, creeks, and rivers and stormwater runoff
•  Stormwater runoff is excess rainwater that can't be absorbed when it falls on impervious or hard surfaces, such as streets and roofs. It picks up pollutants as it runs off these surfaces, then goes directly, untreated, into our water bodies.  
•  See the links above for our programs, with projects and announcements listed below and on this page.

What we don't do:  

We do not manage sewage or drinking water. Please see the bottom of the page for links to sanitary sewer and drinking water contacts

Stormwater Regulations Board

• 2017 Stormwater Ordinance
• Chapter Revisions Detail
• Revisions Chapter 31-5-25
• Total Stay On Volume Consessions - South Chickamauga Creek Watershed

Check out our Green Infrastructure Storymap!!

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 The Water Quality Program Announces Green Grants!

The City's Water Quality Program (WQP) has created the Green Grants Program for property owners who seek to improve water quality and/or go beyond their Stay-on-Volume (SOV) requirement for a green infrastructure (GI) development or retrofit project.

The grant will provide businesses, institutions and other non-single family residential customers parital funding for the design and construction of green infrastructure projects on private properties.

Sunbeam Green Infrastructure Project

Description:

In order to alleviate the risk for potential flooding in the area, the Water Quality Program was tasked to provide a cost affect solution since the traditional grey infrastructure (underground pipe network) was limited given the severity of the slope.

This alternative design approach on this project was green infrastructure. By utilizing a green infrastructure approach, these features will mimic the natural water cycle, prior to development, allowing for ground water recharge.

Project Goals and Benefits:

· Filter pollution from stormwater runoff

· Protect our waterways from polluted stormwater runoff.

· Recharge local groundwater

· Provide opportunities for neighborhood improvements

· Improve aesthetics of the streetscape

· Create habitat for birds and butterflies

· Reduce demand on existing pipe and sewage treatment plant

· Slowing the flow by diverting into WQ swales to allow sediment and pollutants to settle out before the water is discharged into the conveyance system

· Minimize flooding during intense rain events

· Decrease impervious area

· Educate residents on stormwater water quality control measures

East Lake Water Quality Improvements Project is underway.

We are working to renovate East Lake Park's pond and water qualtiy features.  Do you live near East Lake Park?  Do you spend time in this awesome space?  A concept is being funded by the Lyndhurst foundation and a concept will be final this year.  

Stay up to date on project updates here

Agawela Drive Stream Restoration

The City Of Chattanooga is completing a stream restoration of approximately 1,500 linear feet of an incised stream channel within an urbanized watershed of the City. The unnamed tributary to South Chickamauga Creek was deeply entrenched from the years of flashy, urban stormwater runoff. This contributed heavily to the sediment load in South Chickamauga Creek, a 303-d listed stream with a siltation TMDL. South Chickamauga Creek is also the only known location of the threatened Chickamauga Crayfish. Completing the restoration entails reconnecting the channel with the floodplain, installing multiple grade controls and establishing a meandering pattern within a tightly confined corridor.

Stormwater Control Measures (SCM) Inspection & Maintenance

Qualified Vendors

Above is a link to Qualified Vendors for proprietary water quality/quantity devices in the City of Chattanooga.

The list contains companies/individuals who attended a workshop the City of Chattanooga’s Water Quality Program held on March 11, 2019 or has knowledgeable certified individuals that guaranteed the City they follow specifications of inspection and maintenance. They have a series of expertise(s) of inspection and maintenance of Post-Construction water quality SCM, Stormwater Control Measures. Each company/individual has been advised on the inspection and maintenance reports the City requires.

This is not an exclusive list of companies that offer SCM inspection and maintenance services for the area. The City does not recommend or endorse the use of any of these companies/individuals. We suggest that you get at least three bids.

Inspection and Maintenance Form for Stormwater Control Measures 2018

Be aware that as of January 2021, you will be required to have the inspection forms signed by a person who is Certified by the City of Chattanooga Water Quality Program.

The certification will most likely be:
1) Attendance of a City led workshop that will happen about every two years
2) The SCM Inspection & Maintenance course that the City helps support which lasts for 3 + years. Hopefully this class will be held in Chattanooga yearly, or every other year.

Links for sanitary sewer and drinking water utilities:

Mocassin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant Information

To report an issue please call 311.

For drinking water information contact your local water utility:

-Tennessee American Water Company

-Hixson Utility District

-Eastside Utility District