Stormwater Management Policy

Effective: March 29, 2026 

Approved by: Justin Schwartz, Chancellor 

Policy Owner: Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Resilience 

Policy Contact: Assistant Vice Chancellor for Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S); ehs@colorado.edu 

Applies to: Staff, faculty, students, visitors, vendors

I. Introduction

The Stormwater Management Policy establishes the prohibition of illicit discharges to the CU Boulder MS4 in accordance with applicable local, state and federal regulations. The goal of this policy is to protect water quality, prevent pollution and ensure compliance with the provisions of the federal Clean Water Act and Colorado Water Quality Control Act. 

II. Definitions

Illicit discharge: Any discharge to the CU Boulder MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except a discharge resulting from emergency firefighting activities or one that has been specifically authorized by a Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. 

CU Boulder MS4: A system of conveyances, including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manufactured channels or storm drains (inlets) that are owned by CU Boulder and used for collecting or conveying stormwater. 

Process wastewater: Water that needs to be discarded after it has been used in a process, such as any type of washing, heat exchange, research activity or industrial or manufacturing process. 

Water table: The upper surface of the saturated zone, which is the level below which the ground is filled with water. 

III. Policy Statement

No person shall cause an illicit discharge into the CU Boulder MS4 or establish or maintain any connection that results in an illicit discharge thereto including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards or impair the beneficial uses of receiving waters. Prohibited discharges include, but are not limited to: 

  1. Wastewater from washing machines or sinks; 

  2. Process wastewater; 

  3. Vehicle, equipment and surface wash water; 

  4. Paints, solvents, oils, grease and chemicals; 

  5. Construction site wastewater not properly treated; and 

  6. Sewage or septic system overflows. 

Per the CU Boulder MS4 permit, the following non-stormwater discharges are excluded from being effectively ​​​​prohibited:  

  1. Landscape irrigation; 
  2. Lawn watering; 
  3. Diverted stream flows; 
  4. Irrigation return flows; 
  5. Rising ground waters; 
  6. Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration, as defined in 40 CFR 35.2005(20), to separate storm sewers; 
  7. Uncontaminated pumped groundwater (must obtain authorization to discharge under a CDPS or NPDES permit or be authorized under a CDPHE policy); 
  8. Springs; 
  9. Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands; 
  10. Potable water and water line flushing in accordance with the CDPHE’s Low Risk Policy Discharge Guidance: Potable Water; 
  11. Foundation drains, water from crawl space pumps, perimeter and footing drains only from areas located above the water table or authorized under a CDPS or NPDES permit or under a CDPHE policy (discharge must not contain a sheen, odor, color, turbidity or other evidence of pollutants); 
  12. Air conditioning condensation; 
  13. Dechlorinated swimming pool and decorative fountain discharges in accordance with CDPHE’s Low Risk Discharge Guidance; 
  14. Water incidental to street sweeping (including associated sidewalks and medians) that is not associated with construction; 
  15. Dye testing in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations; 
  16. Stormwater runoff with incidental pollutants; 
  17. Discharges resulting from emergency firefighting activities; 
  18. Drainage from watercraft, vehicles and trailers used for recreation, wildlife management operations or maintenance operations when removed from a water body (drainage must not contain other non-stormwaters and must not contain a sheen or discoloration); 
  19. Discharges authorized by a CDPS or NPDES permit; 
  20. Agricultural stormwater runoff; and 
  21. Discharges in accordance with the CDPHE’s Low Risk Policy guidance documents or are approved by CDPHE. 

EH&S shall provide public education and outreach materials to increase awareness of stormwater pollution and encourage proper disposal practices. 

Suspected illicit discharges should be reported to EH&S. EH&S will investigate reports promptly and will coordinate necessary enforcement or corrective action. Suspected illicit discharges that occur outside of normal business hours should be reported to the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department (CUPD). 

Violations of this policy may result in enforcement actions including, but not limited to: 

  1. Verbal or written warnings; 
  2. Citations or orders to cease and desist; 
  3. Civil or administrative penalties; 
  4. Referral to government agencies for civil and criminal proceedings; and 
  5. Recovery of costs for cleanup or remediation.  

IV. Related policies, forms, guidelines and other resources