The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program was created in 1972 by the Clean Water Act to address water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States.

KDOT is required to be permitted through the NPDES stormwater program with a Transportation Separate Storm Sewer System (TS4) Permit. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is responsible for issuing these permits in Kansas.

KDOT's current TS4 permit was issued in February 2024 and expires in December 2028. KDOT’s permit area includes the urban areas of Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan, Wichita, and St. Joseph, MO, as defined by the most recent U.S. Decennial Census.

Stormwater Runoff Educational Resources

KDOT is committed to educating our staff, consultants, and the public about stormwater pollution prevention. This fact sheet on Protecting Kansas Waterways provides helpful information.

Best Management Practices 

Our Best Management Practices (BMPs) are designed to improve water quality by reducing stormwater pollution. These practices are detailed in our Stormwater Management Plan and TS4 Annual Report and are based on research and practical approaches aligned with our mission. The focus areas, known as Minimum Control Measures, of these BMPs include:

• Public education, outreach, participation and involvement targeted at KDOT staff, consultants, contractors, and the driving public to enhance awareness and compliance with the Stormwater Management Program
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination to prevent non-stormwater discharges, such as accidental spills, illicit sanitary connections, and illegal dumping, from entering our waterways
• Construction site stormwater runoff controls to prevent sediment and other construction waste from leaving KDOT property and project sites
• Post-construction stormwater management control to permanently reduce the volume of stormwater runoff and associated pollutants
• Pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices to protect water quality in all KDOT typical operations

KDOT prepares an annual report and submits it to KDHE each February to document progress made on implementation of the Stormwater Management Plan. Prior year’s annual reports and stormwater management plans are found here.

• 2023 Annual Report and Stormwater Management Plan
• 2022 Annual Report and Stormwater Management Plan
• 2021 Annual Report and Stormwater Management Plan

This inventory involves identifying and mapping stormwater “outfalls” - every point where a conveyance of KDOT’s stormwater system discharges into streams, lakes and wetlands within the regulated area.

Outfall Maps Regulated Area

• Kansas City
• Lawrence
• Manhattan
• St. Joseph (No TMDL effected bodies of water identified)
• Topeka
• Wichita

• Kansas Department of Health and Environment Municipal Stormwater Program: A program aimed at managing and reducing stormwater pollution in urban areas. It focuses on implementing best practices to provide clean water and protect the environment for all Kansans.
• U.S. EPA - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES): Site contains technical and regulatory information about the NPDES stormwater program.
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Stormwater Resources: Training, reports, and publications related to stormwater issues.
• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Center for Environmental Excellence: The Center for Environmental Excellence, created by AASHTO in cooperation with FHWA, promotes environmental stewardship and innovative transportation solutions. It serves as a valuable resource for transportation professionals, offering technical assistance, training, information exchange, partnership opportunities, and easy access to environmental tools.
• International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Database: Website features a database of over 300 BMP studies, performance analysis results, tools for use in BMP performance studies, monitoring guidance and other study-related publications.
• Center for Watershed Protection: A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that equips local governments, activists, and watershed organizations with technical tools to protect streams, lakes, and rivers. The Center's multi-disciplinary strategy includes watershed planning, restoration, stormwater management, research, better site design, education, outreach, and training to safeguard these vital natural resources.