National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Service Information

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a federally mandated program established under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act. It is the goal of the NPDES Phase II program to preserve, protect and improve the Nation's water resources by controlling polluted storm water runoff, specifically with respect to small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) and construction sites that ultimately discharge into local waterways without treatment.

Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCDOTH) is classified as an operator of a MS4 under Phase II regulations and is required to develop a storm water management program. In accordance with NPDES requirements, the program is comprised of Best Management Practices (BMP’s) which address the following six minimum control measures:

  • Public Education and Outreach
  • Public Participation/Involvement
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  • Construction Site Runoff Control
  • Post-Construction Runoff Control
  • Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

A general overview of MS4 permit requirements is as follows:

  • Develop and Submit a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) comprised of BMPs and Measurable goals for the Minimum Control Measures
  • Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) as a new MS4 Operator or as an existing permittee to be covered under current ILR40 permit
  • Changes to the SWMP must be included in the Annual Inspection Report along with program assessment and BMP assessment


CCDOTH NPDES MS4 Permit Documents

CCDOTH Notice of Intent (NOI) for Coverage under ILR40

General NPDES Permit ILR40

CCDOTH Storm Water Management Program

CCDOTH NPDES MS4 Annual Report: 2022-2023

CCDOTH NPDES MS4 Annual Report: 2021-2022 

CCDOTH NPDES MS4 Annual Report: 2020-2021  

CCDOTH NPDES MS4 Annual Report: 2019-2020

CCDOTH NPDES MS4 Annual Report: 2018-2019

CCDOTH NPDES MS4 Annual Report: 2017–2018

CCDOTH NPDES MS4 Annual Report: 2016–2017

Public Education and Outreach Resources

MWRD Environmental and Water Resources Educational Brochures     

Forest Preserves of Cook County Education Opportunities   

MWRD Community Education Specialist Program for Schools and Community Groups   

Cook County Sherriff’s Office Prescription Drug Take Back Program       

MWRD Prescription Drug Take Back Program

Salt Smart Collaborative

Public Participation and Involvement Resources

Cook County Watershed Planning Council Meetings Schedule   

Chicago Area Waterways Chloride Workgroup     

Native Plants and Storm Water Trees for your Garden   

MWRD Rain Barrel Program   

MWRD Restore the Canopy Program – Free Trees from the MWRD  

Forest Preserves of Cook County Volunteer Opportunities

North Branch Chicago River Watershed Workgroup (NBWW)

CCDOTH Construction Projects NOI (for Coverage Under ILR10)

Lake Cook Road - Raupp Boulevard to Hastings Lane - Roadway Reconstruction

County Line Road - I-294 Ramp to North Avenue

County Line Road – Grand Avenue to North Avenue (North)

151st Street over Boca Rio Ditch

Reporting a Concern

Contact Information for reporting a concern or problem can be found here.