Greenfield Project Notifications
 |
See the current status of ongoing City improvment projects current, and upcoming.
|
|
Storm Water MS4 Program
The Storm Water Utility is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the Storm Sewer System. The utility is also responsible for the federally mandated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program.
What is Storm Water?
Storm water runoff is part of the natural hydrologic process and occurs when rainwater that does not infiltrate into the ground flows into water bodies such as creeks, lakes, streams, or rivers. In suburban areas, the storm water runoff often has the benefit of passing through naturally vegetated areas, which slows down the velocity of the water and ultimately filters it for pollutants and sediments. In urban settings, however, natural vegetation and topography have frequently been altered to prevent storm water from naturally soaking into the ground and so it is most often carried by storm drains.
When the drainage pattern of a watershed is altered with the addition of impervious surfaces such as driveways, parking lots, and buildings, flows increase in concentration and velocity and pick up sediments and pollutants from land surfaces at an increased rate. Storm water that flows through urbanized areas to receiving waters is called "urban storm water runoff" or “urban runoff.”
The City of Greenfield has developed a storm water program that manages the pollutants and impacts from urban storm water runoff. The program includes education, storm water quality and quantity measures, and a storm water utility.
Pollutants
Urban runoff is known to carry a wide range of pollutants including:
- Heavy metals
- Nutrients
- Pathogens
- Petroleum hydrocarbons
- Sediments
- Synthetic organics such as pesticides
- Trash and debris
Once pollution reaches water bodies, it can harm aquatic life, damage ecosystems, and even end up in water used for drinking or recreation. Protecting our water bodies from all sources of contamination can be accomplished through the cooperation of citizens, government, and businesses.
Community Impacts
Pollutants in urban runoff could negatively impact the vitality of our municipality on many levels. Pollutants in urban runoff can:
- Alter the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water bodies to the detriment of aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
- Make streams and rivers unsightly or unsafe for human contact.
- Negatively impact water recreation, fishing, tourism, and aquatic habitat.
In some cases, pollutants of concern may not even be visible to the naked eye.
 |
 |
Provided by EPA: Be Stormwater Smart
MS4 Program
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) designated the City of Greenfield as a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The city is required to comply with a state-issued storm water permit (INR040039). Greenfield is implementing a program to prevent storm water pollution in urban runoff and improve the water quality of local water bodies.
The Storm Water Quality Management Plan describes Greenfield’s MS4 program and how it is implemented. Annual Reporting of certain measures and goals are required to be submitted to IDEM.
- Storm Water Quality Management Plan
- Annual Report
As part of the MS4 Program, Greenfield adopted an ordinance to protect storm water. Only rainwater should enter storm drains or surface waters. The ordinance prohibits illicit connections and discharges to the storm sewer and illegal dumping. The ordinance also regulates storm water detention, water quality, and construction and post-construction practices.
What is an Illicit Discharge?
An illicit discharge is any discharge to a MS4 conveyance that is not composed entirely of storm water, except naturally introduced floatables, such as leaves or tree limbs. The storm water drainage system includes street curb and gutters, ditches, catch basins, yard inlets, and underground storm pipes.
Examples of Illicit Discharge include:
- Changing oil or antifreeze over or near a storm structure and allowing the liquid to flow into the storm drainage system.
- Washing vehicles where the runoff could drain into the storm drainage system.
- Washing dumpster pads and allowing the runoff to drain into the storm drainage system.
- Dumping grass clippings into a storm water basin or inlet or into the street.
See more information and examples: Spotting Illicit Discharges or watch this short video.
Public Education
Greenfield is promoting pollution prevention activities and education as part of the MS4 program. The below educational brochures are available at City Hall:
- Property Owner’s Responsibilities
- Recycling and Waste Program
- Storm Water Construction Permits
- Pet Waste and Water Quality (English and Spanish)
- Spotting Illicit Discharges: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Tip Card
The following additional educational resources are available for viewing to learn more about storm water.
- Blue is the New Green - YouTube. Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality. March 2015. Duration: 10:11. Educational video for the public on the right things to help protect our environment.
- Water Quality Education by The Clean Water Education Partnership - YouTube. Town of Cary, North Carolina. January 2018. Duration: 2:42. Video on what you can do to maintain water quality.
- Freddy the Fish Teaches About Stormwater - YouTube. North Central Texas Council of Governments – Environment and Development. December 2014. Duration: 4:28. Freddy the Fish teaches kids about what happens to rain after it hits the ground, where storm drains lead to, and what we can do to help prevent water pollution
- Explaining Stormwater Runoff - YouTube. The Watershed Institute. Original video produced by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council for the City of Grand Rapids, MI. June 2018. Duration: 1:35.
Citizen Involvement
Citizens can report illegal dumping of chemicals, heavy erosion from constructions sites, heavily polluted water, or other illegal connections to the storm system (such as septic tank discharges or washing machine wash water) to the Storm Water Hotline. The Storm Water Utility will accept hotline calls at phone number 325-1327 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday (or email dmiller@greenfieldin.org).
What can you do to prevent storm water pollution?
- Clean up your property. Properly dispose of outdated or unused household chemicals stored in your basement, garage, or barn by taking them to the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District. Do not store these materials outdoors.
- Recycle used oil, automotive fluids, batteries, and other products. Do not dispose of hazardous products in storm drains, alleys, or the ground. This pollutes the water supply.
- Reduce the number of fertilizers, pesticides, or other hazardous chemicals that you use. Buy only what you need so that you do not have to dispose of leftovers. Read all the labels and follow directions.
- Sweep up debris, rather than hosing down areas.
- Clean up after your pet and dispose of pet waste in a trash container or toilet. When left outdoors, pet waste contributes bacteria and nutrients to storm water. Learn more about pet waste here.
- Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on an unpaved surface to reduce the amount of dirty, soapy water entering storm drains and waterways.
- Cover piles of soil and mulch being used for landscaping projects.
- Prevent debris from entering nearby storm drains when conducting outdoor home improvement or landscaping projects.
- If you have a septic system, have it serviced regularly. Make sure it is not connected to the storm sewer or polluting a creek or body of water.
- Drain your swimming pool only when a test kit shows non-detectable levels of chlorine or bromine.
- If you spill chemicals, oil, or fuel, clean it up with absorbent materials (for example kitty litter). Do not let it soak into the ground. Place absorbent in the trash.
- If you live next to a community pond, help maintain it. Learn more from this video: Stormwater Pond Maintenance for Homeowners.
Learn more about these activities and others: Property Owner’s Responsibilities.
Construction Projects
The City of Greenfield and IDEM regulate construction projects that disturb one acre or more of land. Storm water runoff from construction sites picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, and lakes. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use storm water controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs control pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling it at its source. Refer to the Engineering Department and below for more information on permitting.
- Storm Water Construction Permits
- Greenfield Storm Water Management Ordinance
- Storm Water Technical Standards
- Proper Concrete Washout Procedures (For Contractors)
- Site Access and Preparation
- Storm Water Run Off/ Run On
- Surface Stabilization
- Outlet Protection and Grade Stabilization
- Temporary Inlet and Curb Protection
Storm Water Utility Fees
The MS4 Program and stormwater management in Greenfield is funded through the storm water utility fees. Residential properties are charged a uniform user fee, while non-residential sites are based on the amount of impervious area a property has that includes compacted gravel, concrete, asphalt, and rooftops.
Chapter 54 of the City of Greenfield Municipal Code explains the storm water utility and all its aspects in greater detail.
City Hall Calendar
| Traffic Safety Committee Wed May 7th 2025, 1:30pm - |
| Fire Merit Commission Tue May 13th 2025, 9:00am - 10:00am |
| Board of Works Tue May 13th 2025, 10:00am - |
| Advisory Plan Commission Meeting Tue May 13th 2025, 7:00pm - |
| City Council Meeting Wed May 14th 2025, 7:00pm - |
Comprehensive Plan Open House
Join us at Hancock County Public Library for a community open house. The open house will have the draft Comprehensive Plan available to view. The community will also have the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions both during the open house and afterward on this website. Save the date and share it with your friends, family, and co-workers! We look forward to seeing you there!Date: April 30, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: Hancock County Public Library (900 W McKenzie Rd, Greenfield, IN)
Riley Art Trail
Construction has begun on the Riley Art Trail!
Find out more by clicking on the link below.
TIP411
The City of Greenfield's Police Department is pleased to announce the implementation of a cell phone and web-based application which will help the public connect with Officers to find information, view alerts, and submit anonymous tips from their smartphone.Hydrant Flushing
The Greenfield Water Utility will be performing a flushing program to clean the drinking water mains beginning April 28 2025.
Heavy Item Pickup
The City of Greenfield plans a two-week program to rid city properties of heavy items. Tyler Rankins Street Commissioner, announced that the 2025 Heavy Pick-up would be as follows:
Treatment Plant Progress
** UPDATED January 17 2024 **
Follow along as we build the City's new Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Call before you dig
2025 Teen Academy
Applications for the 2025 Greenfield Police Department Teen Academy are now being accepted. The teen academy is FREE for Hancock County residents
Applicants must be 14-17 years of age and have no criminal record.
Meeting Videos
For those who prefer to view the City's meeting videos in the Firefox web browser, that is now working again. We have also increased the video quality substantially. All videos moving forward should be viewable in all major web browsers. Please note that due to security concerns with mobile devices, the videos will no longer autostart. Please just click the play button and enjoy.
P&L Tree Trimming
Greenfield Power & Light has contracted an arborist, the tree trimming company Clean Slate, to trim limbs away from the power lines. The arborist will contact homeowners in the areas where Clean Slate will be trimming trees. This work will continue throughout the year.
City Calendar Notice
The following meetings have been moved or cancelled for the month of March.
- Please note there will not be a Historic Board of Review meeting for March 6, 2025
- Please note there will not be a Plan Commission meeting for March 11th, 2025.
- Please note there will not be a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting for March 18th, 2025.
Water Line Replacement
The Greenfield Water Utility will be collecting an inventory survey of all water service line materials. Crews will be working now through Oct 2024. How can you help?
New Police Dept Contact Map
The Greenfield Police Department has created this interactive map to assist our community in communicating directly with officers. We ask that the community use this tool to report non emergency issues they are having around their residences rather than calling 911.
Sanitary Sewer Cleaning
The Greenfield WasteWater Utility will be cleaning the sanitary sewers in Greenfield as an ongoing project. We will be removing debris and tree roots with a combination of high water pressure and tools designed to accomplish the job.
Golf Cart Registrations
*** UPDATE **** Please watch the new information video concerning the use of golfcarts on city streets.
In 2017, the Greenfield City Council pased Ordinance 2017-19 allowing the limited use of golf carts on city streets.
Greenfield In Gear Comprehensive Plan a Roadmap for 2055
Listen up, Greenfield! Do you want to make a difference in our city? Our future? Well, we are proud to announce Greenfield’s new Comprehensive Plan – our growth and development roadmap for the year 2045. This plan presents a great opportunity for positive change in the community, and it needs YOUR voice!
Police Bulletins
....Updated September 28....
Your Greenfield Police Department would like your help. Periodically, Police Bulletins will be posted asking for information on incidents currently under investigation. Please visit the Police Bulletins page, and check to see if you can help. Together, we can make our community safe.
Minutes available online
Special Events and Road Permits
Having a special event?
Need a POD storage container or dumpster sat in the roadway?
Want to have a block party?
You may need a permit. Applications are available below. If you have any questions please contact the Greenfield Police Department.
Additional ordinances covering public permits can be found at the City's Code of Ordinances online.
Put your camera to work!
The Greenfield Police Department would like to partner with you to solve crime. If you have a home video surveillance system that may cover a driveway, sidewalk or roadway, we want to hear from you.
Follow the below link to list your camera with the Greenfield Police Department, and start fighting crime today!
Contact City Hall
Greenfield City Hall
10 South State Street
Greenfield, IN 46140-2364
- 317-477-4300
- Email Us
- Staff Directory
