FAQs
Stormwater
Any time a large amount of hazardous material is spilled, there is a threat that the pollutant has or will contaminate one of our creeks. As such, our technicians are available to respond to a spill, day or night, to make sure the purity of our natural waters remains intact. The spill and any contaminants within the receiving body of water must be properly cleaned up.
Emergency spills can be anything from a large amount of vehicle fluids flowing towards a storm drain, commercial or private sanitary sewer overflows, and releases of other hazardous materials from construction or industrial sites. If you suspect an illicit discharge of hazardous substances has occurred, please call us and explain the situation. We would be happy to send someone out to investigate.
The Stormwater Quality Division is responsible for the collection and proper disposal of household-generated hazardous waste for both Midwest City residents and residents of other participating communities. Hazardous waste items, such as poisonous chemicals and flammable liquids, cannot be disposed of with normal solid waste items in the trash bin because they can harm or damage the environment, wildlife, city equipment, and even city personnel.
For more information on what items are considered hazardous and how to properly dispose of those items, please visit the Household Hazardous Waste page.
Our technicians routinely inspect businesses, residences, and ongoing construction projects to ensure Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) regulations are upheld, and to prevent illicit discharges of pollutants from entering our storm drains, and subsequently, our creeks. Sediment, grass clippings, broken water lines, and raw sewage are some of the most common pollutants in illicit discharges.
Inspections on stormwater infrastructure (i.e. retention and detention ponds, channels, weirs, culverts, etc.) at residential, commercial, and municipal properties are also conducted to determine areas in need of maintenance or repair. Dry Weather Field Screening inspections occur at each one of our outfalls (the discharge points along our creeks) during periods of dry weather to determine if there are illicit discharges of pollutants into our natural creeks.
If you suspect an illicit discharge of hazardous substances has occurred, please call us and explain the situation. We would be happy to send someone out to investigate.
Our technicians regularly participate in public events to host educational activities and distribute educational materials that inform residents and other city personnel on the importance of our natural waters, environment, and wildlife. In addition to attending events, these stormwater educational materials are available year-round in various public locations such as city offices, facilities, or community centers.
Educational stormwater messages can also be seen presented occasionally on billboards or permanently as a mural at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
Our technicians conduct water quality sampling in the five creeks that flow through Midewst City:
- Choctaw Creek
- Crutcho Creek
- Kuhlman Creek
- Silver Creek
- Soldier Creek
We measure and record a variety of environmental and chemical parameters including:
- dissolved oxygen
- alkalinity
- turbidity
- pH
- temperature
- salinity
- weather conditions
- any foul odors
- overall condition of the stream
We also collect water samples at each location to be tested for additional chemical components or bacteria that may indicate an issue with the health of the stream.