Preventing Stormwater Pollution at Your Public Works Facility

Training Overview

Module 1: Introduction to the Series and

Why Stormwater Matters

Estimated Time Required: 60 - 70 minutes

  • 5 - 10 minutes (Introduction to the workshop series)
  • 10 -15 minutes (Module 1 Presentation)
  • 45 minutes (Exercise)

Learning Objectives:

After completing module 1 attendees will be able to:

  1. Know what to expect of the training series,
  2. Understand how stormwater pollution is affecting our local streams and ponds, and
  3. Recognize how stormwater flows through our facility and where it ends up.

Materials Needed:

For the presentation:

  • Power Point Presentation:
  • \Module 1\Module1_Why_Stormwater_Matters.ppt.
  • Script for Presentation
  • \Module 1\Script_for_Module_1.doc
  • Computer with Power Point
  • Projector

For the exercise:

  • Exercise:
  • \Module 1\Exercise_for_Module_1.doc
  • Markers
  • Pens or pencils
  • Flip chart and tape for hanging the pages on the wall
  • Scrap paper
  • Handouts for Trainees:
  • Recent air photograph of your facility and the surrounding area (enough copies for trainees to share)
  • Site plan of your facility with elevations, if available (enough copies for trainees to share)
  • List of local critical water resources, drinking water supplies, other RIDEM special resources protection waters and impaired waters (enough copies for trainees to share)

Additional Resources:

  • Example of how to complete the exercise for Module 1
  • \Module 1\Resources\Exercise_1-example.ppt
  • Schedule you can customize to provide your employees notice on when training will occur
  • \Module 1\Resources\Schedule.doc

Preparation:

  1. Review Series Introduction and customize with your own training schedule, presenter, etc.
  2. Customize the schedule document provided with your dates, times and locations of trainings. This document can be posted at your facility. The schedule document is located:
  3. \Module 1\Resources\Schedule.doc
  4. Review module 1 and if desired, customize with information on local water bodies and their condition.
  5. Collect aerial photo or other map of your facility and surrounding area and site plan of the facility for the Module 1 exercise. Maps can be obtained from the following sources: your facility MS4 Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), MS4 Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP), Comprehensive Community Plan, local planning department or local GIS. Other sources include: the RIDEM interactive map server, local GIS or Google maps ( ).
  6. Find a site plan of your facility with elevations, if available, for the Module 1 exercise. Check your facility Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) or print a generalized U.S. Geological Survey topographic map from the web at Click on Environmental Resource maps, then click on the folder at “image layers” and make sure elevation is checked. You’ll need to zoom in fairly close to your site on the state map before the images will appear. You might also be able to ask your Planning Dept. for a map. Make enough copies of these maps for trainees to share.
  7. Prepare a list of local critical water resources, drinking water supplies, other RIDEM special resources protection waters, and impaired waters for the Module 1 exercise using your Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP), municipal comprehensive plan, other Planning Department documents, or the RIDEM interactive map server. Check the RIDEM website for the most current listing of Special Resource Protection Waters and Impaired Waters at the following sources:

RI DEM. 2006. Water Quality Regulations, Appendix D Special Resource Protection Waters (SRPWs), Office of Water Resources. Providence, RI

RI DEM. 2008. State of Rhode Island 2008 303(d) List, List of Impaired Waters Draft. Office of Water Resources. Providence, RI

Make enough copies of this information for trainees to share.

Sample Agenda

Part 1  Introduction to the Series and Why Stormwater Matters

10:00Welcome and Introduction to the Series (5 - 10 minutes)

  • Overview of the workshop series - Purpose and topics
  • Training schedule and logistics

10:10Why Stormwater Matters (10 minutes)

(Using the power point presentation and script for Module 1, go through the presentation)

10:20Exercise: Following the Flow (45 minutes)

(Complete the training exercise using the exercise instruction for module 1)

11:05Wrap up and adjourn

Module 1: Introduction to the Series and Why Stormwater Matters

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Training Overview