Storm Water - Utilities - American Fok City

Storm Water Management

275 East 200 North

Division Lead: Mark Coddington

Phone: 801-763-3050

Fax: 801-763-3005

On-call: 801-404-7167

Illicit Discharge Hotline 801-404-7167

American Fork City is anxious to preserve the natural resources that make it beautiful. Because our ditches and gutters drain into a storm drain system that feeds our wetlands and Utah Lake, it is important that we are vigilant in making certain that toxins or other pollutants do not find their way into this system. If you find or witness the dumping of materials such as these into a ditch or other storm drain system source, please call and report it to our hotline.

What is Storm Water?

Storm water is water from rain, snow, sleet, or hail that flows across the ground and pavement or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call the storm drain system. These are the drains you see at street corners, catch basins, detention/retention basins, irrigation canals, creeks and the American Fork River. Collectively, the draining water is called storm water runoff and is a concern in all areas of American Fork including residential, commercial, industrial and roadway areas of unincorporated portions of our City.

Why is this program necessary?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), 40 percent of our nation’s waterways remain polluted and storm water runoff is a leading source.

Storm water pollution can occur when it rains, or as oil, salt, litter, soil, fertilizer and pesticides are washed into nearby street drains. Most of these drains empty directly into the streams and rivers that we use for fishing, swimming and boating, and result in unusable and polluted waterways.

Everyday Pollutants

Floatables: Floatables are pieces of litter in the water. They may be contaminated with toxic chemicals and bacteria. Floatables are also an eyesore in our waterways. Commonly observed floatables include cigarettes, plastic containers, wrappers and cans. Floatables such as these are generally the result of careless handling practices or littering.

Sediment:Sediment can be harmful to aquatic life (plants, fish and other animals that live in lakes and streams). Sediments can carry chemicals that are toxic and that cause the oxygen in water to be used up. Sediment covers the bottoms of streams, harming the habitat needed by aquatic insects and plants. Sediment generally is the result of soil erosion from lawns, hillsides, gardening/landscaping activities. Large amounts of sediment can reduce the capacity of streams to carry storm runoff, thus necessitating expending tax dollars for maintenance of the system.

Oil & Grease: Petroleum products (gasoline, oil and grease) may be toxic to aquatic life, even in small amounts. Oil and grease in storm drains can generally be traced to automotive leaks and spills or improper disposal of used oil an automotive products into storm drains.

Pesticides, Herbicides and Fertilizers:Excess amounts of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers applied to yards, lawns and greenways are washed into streams during rainfall events. These chemicals can cause increased algae growth and toxicity to organisms.

Metals: Metals such as lead, zinc, mercury, copper and cadmium in water can be toxic to humans, aquatic life and other animals that drink the water. Metals come from vehicle exhaust, weathered paint, metal plating, tires and motor oil.

Toxic Substances: Gasoline, household products, and paint thinner are examples of toxic substances. These substances can deplete oxygen in waterways and cause toxic effects in living organisms. Potential pollutants that may be present in residential areas, business and construction sites are listed below.

Residential: Pet waste, vehicle fluids (oil, gas, antifreeze), paint, pesticides, solvents, batteries, hazardous wastes, grass clippings, tree trimmings, leaves, street litter, soap from car washing.

Businesses: Fuel, soap from equipment washing, waste process water, hazardous liquids.

Construction: Sediment, wash water from concrete mixers, used oils and solvents, landscaping materials (trees, shrubs, soil additives), vehicle fluids (oil, gas and antifreeze).

Storm Water Public Education Click here for more information

Residential Mailer

American Fork City is required to comply with guidelines established at the Federal and State government level relative to water discharged into our storm drain system. Consequently we have been working hard to prepare the Storm Water Management Program which will identify how we measure and treat pollutants entering our water ways. A copy of this program will be filed with the State of Utah and referenced for compliance at the State and local level.

DRAFT: American Fork Storm Water Management Program

American Fork Storm Drain Element of the Master Plan