When it rains, stormwater collects pollutants from the land as it runs off toward a nearby waterway. Nonpoint source pollution is caused when stormwater moves over the ground, picking up natural and man-made pollutants, depositing them into our creeks, streams, and rivers. NPS pollution includes litter, lawn chemicals, auto fluids, erosion, pet waste, and any number of other substances. When washed into a river, stream or lake, these pollutants accumulate into a significant amount and cause major problems for the wildlife and people who depend upon a clean, fresh water supply for survival. 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates stormwater runoff through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).   As per the NPDES regulations, Fulton County is required to maintain a permit for municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) discharges, or in simpler terms, stormwater runoff into a waterbody.   Fulton County's stormwater management plan is designed to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or illegally dumped into storm drains and discharged into a local waterway.  

Read more about the Clean Water Act and NPDES on the EPA's website.  

The NPDES requirements are regulated through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division.   More information about the State's requirements, along with useful links to Notice of Intent, No Exposure Exclusion, and other forms, can be found on their website.