The City of Dover holds a state issued permit through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act: National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The NPDES / MS4 permit allows the City of Dover to discharge stormwater to waters of the state. Under this permit, the City has an obligation to take efforts which improve the quality of stormwater that runs off of our streets and into waterways, such as Silver Lake and the St. Jones River.
Much of the pollution that ends up in our waterways comes from non-point sources scattered sites throughout the watershed. Many of the things we do each day contribute to the pollution that ultimately enters our waterways. How we fertilize and maintain our yards, dispose of our pet waste, and wash/maintain our cars all affect the quality of the water in our rivers and streams.