Storm Water Management

The proper management of the quantity and quality of storm water runoff is crucial to protecting our community. When left unmanaged, the increased quantity of storm water runoff resulting from development and urbanization can lead to flooding and property damage. The unmanaged quality of storm water runoff resulting from development, pollutants, and other illicit discharges degrades the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of Canton's lakes, streams, and other water bodies. Therefore, to alleviate these problems, the City of Canton has taken steps to promote proper storm water management.

Drainage Complaints

Have a drainage complaint and you're not sure which department to contact? Click on this link: Drainage Complaint General Guidance    (revised 4/5/2019)

Storm Water Management Requirements

In 2009, "Chapter 961: Storm Water Management" was adopted as part of the codified ordinances of the City of Canton to satisfy regulatory requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Storm Water Program. In addition, the "City of Canton Storm Water Management Manual" was adopted to supplement the ordinance by providing further standards, applicability, design criteria, requirements, recommendations, and guidance for various aspects of storm water management in the City of Canton that are not provided explicitly in the ordinance.

The "City of Canton Storm Water Management Manual" should be used any time there are questions regarding City requirements for storm water management related to development or within City right-of-way. In general, whenever there is proposed development in the City of Canton that requires the submission of a site plan to the City Zoning Inspector, the City Engineering Department will need to review and approve the plan for proper storm water quantity management. If the proposed development will disturb one or more acres of land, the Stark SWCD will also need to review and approve the plan for proper storm water quality management. The "City of Canton Storm Water Management Manual" describes all aspects of both storm water quantity and storm water quality management requirements as well as general storm water drainage provisions.

Storm Water Management Regulations:

City of Canton Storm Water Management Manual   (updated 09/19/2019)

Storm Water Management Ordinance:

Chapter 961 Storm Water Management 

NPDES Phase II Storm Water Management Program

The City of Canton is identified by the United States EPA as an Operator of a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) within a census-defined Urbanized Area and is therefore regulated under Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Program. This program required the City to obtain permit coverage in 2003 for the discharge of its MS4s into waters of the State. The permit required the submission of a written Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) to Ohio EPA describing how the City will comply with permit conditions in an effort to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff. By reducing pollutants in storm water runoff discharging from the City's storm water drainage systems, the quality and integrity of our local creeks, lakes, ponds, and other water bodies are improved. This improved water quality ultimately results in better drinking water, cleaner swimming, and healthier fish and other aquatic life! Click on the link below to see the City of Canton's current NPDES Phase II Storm Water Management Program:

NPDES Phase II SWMP

City of Canton Storm Water Management Program     (updated 1/4/2019)

NPDES Phase II Storm Water Management Program Resources:

City of Canton Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination Response Protocol

Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between City of Canton and Stark SWCD

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Service Director and City Health Department

Public input on the City's Storm Water Management Program is welcomed! Please call the City's Storm Water Management Program primary contact, Chris Barnes, at 330-438-6908 for questions or comments about the program.

One important aspect of the City's Storm Water Management Program is Public Education and Outreach on Storm Water Impacts. Please click on the Storm Water Education link below to learn more about storm water management and ways you can help to improve the quality of Canton's creeks, lakes, and other water resources.

Storm Water Education

By clicking on this link, reading the provided material, and following the recommendations and do's-and-don't's, you are taking an active part in helping the City of Canton be compliant with EPA's NPDES Phase II Storm Water Program requirements! We appreciate that!

Design Resources

Runoff Analysis         (updated 07/01/2019)

Modified Rational Method

Other Links

Make sure to visit these websites for more information on storm water management, related topics, and contact information:

Stark Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD): www.starkswcd.org

Please contact Stark SWCD for erosion, sediment, and other runoff pollution concerns related to construction sites.

Stark County Government: www.co.stark.oh.us

Ohio Department Of Transportation (ODOT):  www.dot.state.oh.us

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):  www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/storm/

Please contact Ohio EPA for pollution concerns in our creeks, lakes, and other water bodies or to find out more details on the history and requirements of EPA's NPDES Phase II Storm Water Program.

Nimishillen Creek Watershed Partners

Please visit the Nimishillen Creek Watershed Partners site to find out how you can learn more and become involved in activities concerning the Nimishillen Creek.

Coming Soon to the Website

• Engineering Department's Standard Construction Notes
• Engineering Department's Checklist for Site Plan submittal