NPDES Permit Requirements

The Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group was formed to help NPDES permittees meet certain requirements. In addition to effluent limits in wastewater permits, Illinois EPA requires certain education and outreach activities as part of the ILR-40 (MS4) Permit; the newly released Industrial Stormwater Permit ILR00 also includes new requirements.  LDWG is implementing and developing materials, events and training activities related to:

Stormwater

• Public Education & Outreach
  • Seasonal Outreach Campaigns
    1. Spring – Incorporate Native Plants in Your Landscape
    2. Summer – HOA Responsibilities and Resources for Proper Stormwater Pond Maintenance
    3. Fall – Utilize Leaf Collection Program
    4. Winter – Salt Smart. Save More.
• Public Involvement & Participation
• Pollution Prevention/ Good Housekeeping
• Watershed scale in-stream monitoring program
• Winter chloride/conductivity monitoring (helpful to communities pursuing Time Limited Water Quality Standard)
  • USGS 05537980 Des Plaines River at Route 53 at Joliet, IL
  • USGS 05539670 Des Plaines River at Channahon, IL
• Watershed scale nonpoint source nutrient planning
• ILR40 Activities Reports
  • ILR40 Activities Report 2020-2021
  • ILR40 Activities Report 2019-2020
  • ILR40 Activities Report 2018-2019
  • ILR40 Activities Report 2017-2018

Wastewater         

• Common permit language related to NARP (Nutrient Assessment and Reduction Plan)
  
• Watershed scale collaboration for permit discussions with regulatory and environmental groups
• Regional collaboration for additional resources and tools
• Watershed scale in-stream monitoring program
• Watershed scale point-source nutrient planning
• Special Conditions Reports
  • LDWG Special Conditions Annual Monitoring Report 2020
  • LDWG Special Conditions Annual Monitoring Report 2019