Stormwater Program

Rancho Santa Margarita Stormwater Program

The mission of the Stormwater Program is to maintain and promote the quality of water and environmental resources for the citizens of Rancho Santa Margarita and to ensure compliance with water quality regulations. 

The Stormwater Management section of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita Public Works Department is responsible for overall management of the stormwater quality issues in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. Through public education and outreach, the Stormwater Management section ensures that all residents, businesses, and municipal departments are familiar with federal, state, local laws, and regulations pertaining to stormwater quality issues, and comply with those laws and regulations. 

Did you know it's the law? If you live in Southern Orange County, runoff from landscape irrigation that enters streets and catch basins is prohibited. Please see Orange County's Tips to Prevent Overwatering brochure for more information on what you can do to prevent overwatering and urban runoff. 

Learn more on how to do your part to protect our precious water by visiting h2oc.org.


Orange County Stormwater Program


The Orange County Stormwater Program was initiated in 1990 as a cooperative local government response to the 1987 Amendment to the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA). This amendment extended the provisions of the CWA Section 402 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), issuing a permit to the municipal storm drain system operators, also known as the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), thereby making local governments responsible for the quality of their stormwater discharges.

Administration & Compliance

In California, these stormwater programs are administered by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and 9 regional boards that issue NPDES-MS4 permits and enforce regulations within their respective regions. South Orange County lies within the jurisdiction of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (SDRWQCB). This regional board issued the 1st municipal NPDES-MS4 permit in 1990 for the "Orange County Stormwater Program," a partnership between the County and South Orange County cities, including the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. NPDES-MS4 permits are issued for a 5-year term with the current Fifth Term Permit issued on November 18, 2015.

In compliance with the NPDES-MS4 Permit, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita has developed a comprehensive Stormwater Program that exemplifies the high value that is placed on clean water and improving water quality. This program includes a Local Implementation Plan (LIP) that regulates urban water runoff in and around the City.

For additional information on the City's Stormwater Program, please contact the Public Works Department at 949-635-1800, extension 6501.

Program Resources

 
  • To report chemical and hazardous materials spill, please call 911.
  • To report water pollution, please contact the County of Orange hotline at 877-897-7455.
  • For mosquito and rodent issues, please contact the Orange County Vector Control at 714-971-2421.

2018 Integrated Regional Water Management Plan