LANSING TOWNSHIP STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Stormwater runoff is created when rain falls on pavement, buildings, and other impervious surfaces that do not allow water to soak into the ground. In developed areas like Lansing Township, we limit flooding by moving this runoff from our roads and neighborhoods through storm drains that discharge directly into rivers and streams. Since stormwater does not get processed at a treatment plant, any containment on the ground can "hitch a ride" with runoff and impact our shared surface waters. Pet waste, oil, leaves and dirty water from cleaning your car can enter storm drains and flow downstream where it harms aquatic habitats and makes water unsafe for swimming, canoeing and other water-related fun. The Township takes steps to reduce this pollution to meet State and Federal requirements.

Every five years, the Township must submit a Stormwater Permit Application to MDEQ to obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. A large part of that application consists of a description as to how the Township will commit to and proceed with the development, implementation, and enforcement of practices to reduce the discharge of pollutants from its municipal separate storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable and protect water quality. This documentation was formally designated as the Lansing Township Stormwater Management Program and is available below for public review.

Please contact Brad Beck at bbeck@lansingtownship.org or 517-485-4063 with questions or comments regarding the Township's stormwater program.

Illicit Discharges

An illicit discharge is defined as any discharge to the municipal separate storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except for discharges allowed under an NPDES permit or waters used for firefighting operations. Many of these non-stormwater discharges occur due to illegal connections to the storm drain system from commercial, residential, and other establishments.

Illicit discharges and dumping allow contaminated wastewater into our local waterways without receiving any treatment. Such activities may be intentional, but also may be unknown to the property owner. Some examples of illicit discharges or dumping are failing septic systems, improper disposal of sewage from recreational vehicles, illicit connections of sanitary sewer lines to the storm sewer system, or the cleaning of pool filters, paint brushes, and vehicles in a driveway or street.

Please help us protect the Grand River and other watersheds by reporting illicit discharges and dumping into Lansing Township's stormwater sewer systems. You may call Lansing Township at 517-485-4063 or the Ingham County Drain Commissioner at 517-676-8395. You may also contact the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) at 800-292-4706.

GREATER LANSING REGIONAL COMMITTEE (GLRC) FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

The Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management (GLRC), a guiding body comprised of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities within the Greater Lansing Region. The committee has been established to guide the implementation of the stormwater program for participating communities within the Grand Rive, the Red Cedar River and the Looking Glass River watersheds.

Reports and Programs

2020 Lansing Township MS4 Stormwater Progress Report

GLRC Annual Report

GLRC Quarterly Newsletters

Pollution Prevention Tips

Want to learn more about how you can protect our waterways at your home, school, or business? Check out these articles, brochures, and flyers and feel free to print and post them at your workplace or classroom!

Visit MyWatersheds.org to learn about upcoming events, find steps you can take to limit water pollution, and to get involved in managing our shared water resources!