Stormwater Management

Marana landscape with rain water

Stormwater is runoff from a precipitation event like rain or snow. Urban runoff occurs during activities like car washing and landscape watering. Both types of runoff can come into contact with many pollutants as they flow toward storm drains, washes, and rivers. The Town of Marana implements policies and procedures to reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, pollutant discharges that may affect surface waters.

Stormwater Management Program

Stormwater pollution is the major cause of surface water pollution today. The town of Marana is regulated under the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) MS4 program. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) administers the program and has defined six minimum control measures for compliance.

  1. Public Education and Outreach
  2. Public Involvement and Participation
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
  5. Control of Post-construction Site Runoff
  6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

Stormwater Management Plan

stormwater management web header

The Town has prepared a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that has been adopted by Town Council. The overall goal of the SWMP is to ensure that stormwater runoff does not cause or contribute to exceedances of surface water quality standards.

Annual Reports for the Town of Marana's MS4 Program

Report a Concern

What Can I Do to Help?

  • Properly maintain your vehicle.
  • Take your vehicle to a car wash or use biodegradable soaps
  • Sweep sidewalks and driveways
  • Use non-toxic chemicals whenever possible in your yard
  • Pool backwash must drain to landscaped areas or other containment areas within your property
  • Don’t over-water landscaping
  • Only rain should go into storm drains. Please report illegal dumping
  • Carpool when possible
  • Dispose of household chemicals through the Pima Household Hazardous Waste Program.

What Pollutants Are Entering the Storm System?

  • Automotive: Antifreeze, Brake fluid, Auto transmission fluid, Soot from automotive exhaust, Degreasers, Grease, Gasoline, Motor Oil, Rubber, Tire dust, Trace metals
  • Household: Barbecue lighter fluid, Bleach, Cleaning Solutions, Disinfectants, Drain Cleaners, Garbage, Paint Stripper & Thinner, Paints, Varnish, Window Cleaners, Wood Preservatives
  • Pet: Flea Killers, Pet Wastes, Cat litter
  • Yard: Bare Soil, Grass Clippings, Leaves, Herbicides, Pesticides, Fertilizers, Sawdust, metal shavings, Soap, Detergents, Swimming Pool & Spa Chemicals

Construction Guidance

The Town of Marana has a stormwater ordinance and its own requirements for stormwater pollution prevention. All construction projects must submit a SWPPP plan for review and approval regardless of type, size, or location. The SWPPP must be reviewed and approved prior to the issuance of any grading permits.

View the application and instructions(PDF, 200KB). Please ensure that your SWPPP contains the following:

  1. Please show all construction entrances/exits
  2. Please show the location of all stormwater discharge locations
  3. Please show the location of all drywells on site, if any. Please indicate if there will be no drywells
  4. Please include the following general notes:
    1. All portable toilets and wash stations will be staked.
    2. The minimum inspection schedule will be every 14 days and whenever there is a rain event of .5” or greater.
    3. This project is within the MS4 boundaries for the Town of Marana.
    4. An on-site concrete washout will be provided.
    5. Adjacent roads will be inspected daily for track-out and swept as needed.
    6. Grading limits will be clearly staked.
    7. This project will follow/obtain all permits required by ADEQ.
    8. All spills of reportable quantities will be reported to the Town of Marana within 24 hours and in writing within 5 days.
    9. All BMPs will be installed per industry standards.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) may have additional stormwater requirements. For ADEQ questions please visit azdeq.gov/SWP.

The Household Hazardous Waste Program

The Household Hazardous Waste Program is a joint effort between the City of Tucson and Pima County. This program is designed to collect hazardous waste from residents in the community.

Common household and automotive products become a hazard to the environment when disposed of improperly. Leftover quantities of these products should never be poured down the drain, put in trash, or stored for excessive periods of time. Bring them to the household waste collection sites for safe disposal (fees may apply).

To visit the Household Hazardous Waste website for more information on locations and items considered hazardous waste, please visit Pima County/City of Tucson Household Hazardous Waste Program.

Outreach and Education

"Clean water starts with me"

Pima Association of Governments in coordination with the Town of Marana, City of Tucson, Pima County, ADOT and other local agencies is launching its "Clean Water Starts With Me" campaign to inform the public on how to keep stormwater runoff from becoming contaminated with pollutants.

Stormwater Coloring Book

The Town of Marana wants to thank the students of Marana High School whose creativity and artistic ability allowed us to make the coloring book a reality. To view the coloring book, please visit the following link. If you would like to order a copy, please contact the Environmental Engineering Division at (520) 382-2600.

Stormwater for Kids

Links to EPA Kids Website

Back to top