Stormwater Quality, Maintenance and Pollution Control

The City of Tulsa has an extensive education program with a goal of reducing pollution in storm water runoff.  This program targets the public, as well as commercial and industrial owners and operators within Tulsa. 

Education of the public is accomplished by the Public Works department through public presentations at conferences and seminars, and presentations at local schools and neighborhood gatherings.

Staff members distribute educational materials at events and public locations, and press releases and articles inform the public about environmental concerns, including ways to reduce pollution in storm water runoff. Information is also provided to the public through articles included in the monthly utility bill stuffer.

Another part of the Storm Water Education program educates commercial and industrial owners and or operators about their responsibility to reduce the pollution in storm runoff.

Read more about the storm water aspect of Tulsa's water quality program. The site includes links to tips that tell how to reduce pollution from storm water runoff.

If you see something other than storm water that has been disposed of or dumped into a storm sewer or local water way, please contact the Mayors action line at 596-2100.  Someone will investigate.  Remember, storm drains are for rain.

City of Tulsa drainage systems are maintained regularly to help prevent water from backing up into streets and homes. If you spot a blocked drain or see illegal development in a flood zone, call 596-2100, and an inspector will investigate.

Reminder: Don't pollute! Do NOT pour used motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizers or other pollutants down the storm drainage system. Storm drains are NOT part of the sewer system. All storm sewers in Tulsa drain directly into the waters of the Arkansas River or Bird Creek. These drain outlets are monitored regularly after rain events, and checked for pollutants. The generated report is then sent to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, as required by Tulsa's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit.

Putting foreign substances into this system can also cause flooding and is a violation of City ordinance. Such actions are punishable by fines of up to $500 a day. Please do your part and keep the inlets and drainage ways throughout Tulsa clear of brush and debris.

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Environmental Programs
» Stormwater Quality

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