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City of Newport News
2024-2029 MS4 Program Plan
The Newport News Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Division conducts inspections and
enforces the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, which includes ensuring proper
chemical/material storage, on commercial and public properties.
The Newport News Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team provides 24/7 emergency
response and mitigation for environmental spills and incidents involving nuclear, biological or
chemical materials. Staff of the Department of Engineering Environmental Services Division and the
Department of Public Works Stormwater Division are equipped to provide spill containment for
smaller incidents that are reported to the City’s 311 Contact Center. The cross-departmental
Environmental Crimes Task Force proactively investigates and mitigates illegal dumping, illicit
discharges and spills throughout the City. In all instances, the goal of incident response is to quickly
evaluate the spill, ensure that materials do not migrate offsite or into the MS4 system, and determine
what cleanup/mitigation is necessary. Contractors may be hired for cleanup at the cost of the
responsible party.
For private property, it is the responsibility of the owner or owner’s agent to report spills to the
appropriate agency. For City properties, rights-of-way, or easements, it is the responsibility of either
the Newport News Fire Department, Department of Engineering, or hired cleanup contractor to
report spills in accordance with Parts II.G and II.H of the MS4 Permit; this is determined by the lead
agency on scene. For non-sewage reportable discharges to the MS4, spills are reported within 24
hours to DEQ (www.deq.virginia.gov/get-involved/pollution-response). A written report must be
provided to DEQ within five business days to include the discharge date/time, amount/type, location,
responsible party, detailed spill description, clean-up efforts, and any impacts to natural waterways.
If spills reach navigable waters, the responsible party also contacts the US Coast Guard National
Response Center. For emergencies, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management maintains a
24-hour telephone service at 1-800-468-8892.
Reporting
• Each annual report shall include a list of spills, the source (identified to the best of the City’s
ability), and a description of follow-up activities taken. (ONGOING)
g) Industrial and High Risk Runoff
The City is required to implement a program to identify and control pollutants in stormwater
discharges to the MS4 from industrial and high risk runoff facilities. The Department of Engineering
Environmental Services Division maintains a database of such facilities; facilities are assigned an
inspection frequency based on the type of facility and history of issues.
➢ “High Priority Municipal”
High Priority Municipal facilities are City facilities that do not require a separate VPDES permit but
have a high potential of discharging pollutants. Per Part I.B.2.i)3)(b) of the MS4 Permit, individual
SWPPPs have been developed and implemented at these facilities. A copy of the SWPPP is kept
at each facility and is updated as necessary. SWPPP inspections are performed routinely by the
facility staff in accordance with the schedules set out within the SWPPP document. Annual facilityJump to an indexed page (19 of 19)