Ascension Parish Stormwater

Phone: 225-450-1200

Why You Should Care

“Into each life some rain must fall.”  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Stormwater is generated from rain that does not soak into the ground.  It flows into storm drains, ditches, creeks, ponds, lakes, bayous and rivers.  As stormwater drains across the ground, it picks up pollutants that are then transported downstream.  Those pollutants may include sediment, debris, bacteria/pathogens, excess nutrients, and other chemicals.

Ascension Parish has numerous waterbodies (Bayou Manchac, Amite River, Blind River, and New River) that carry stormwater from our parish to Lake Pontchartrain.  The parish is required to maintain a permit issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems [sMS4]) to reduce the discharge of pollutants in that stormwater runoff.

The sMS4 Permit requires the parish to implement and maintain Minimum Control Measures (MCMs), including:

  1. Public Education and Outreach
  2. Public Involvement/Participation
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  4. Construction Site Runoff Control
  5. Post-Construction Storm Water Management
  6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Ascension Parish needs help from its citizens to reduce the amount of pollutants that enter to stormwater drainage system.  Sediment and debris that enter the stormwater drainage system can clog the system, decreasing how fast stormwater drains, and potentially creating conditions for flooding.  Bacteria and pathogens remove oxygen from parish waterways, decreasing water quality and adversely impacting fish health.

What can you do to help?

Everyone can help improve the Ascension Parish waterways by taking time to minimize source pollution to stormwater.  These steps may include:

  • Construction Sites – Install silt fencing; minimize disturbed areas during construction; and divert stormwater from disturbed areas.
  • Septic Systems/Individual Wastewater Treatment Systems – Properly maintain systems (e.g., pump solids out of tanks every 2-3 years, keep wastewater treatment chlorine tablets [not swimming pool tablets] in disinfection system), and don’t dispose of household chemicals into sinks or toilets.
  • Lawn Care – Don’t blow leaves/grass clippings into street/drainage systems (compost or mulch); use pesticides/herbicides/fertilizers sparingly; and don’t over water lawn.
  • Auto Care – Wash car over grassy areas not pavement to absorb washwaters; repair oil/fluid leaks; and properly dispose of used oil and other fluids.

Ascension Parish MS4 Permit Information/Resources

For more information, contact Public Works Stormwater at (225) 450-1200 or at stormwater@apgov.us .

Kids Stormwater Activities

Contact Info:

Ascension Parish

Storm Water Management Program

615 East Worthey Street

Gonzales, LA 70737

stormwater@apgov.us