Storm Water Section

The City of Shreveport is actively involved in protecting the quality of water in our local water bodies, including Red River, Cross Lake, and numerous streams and water bodies. Cross Lake, our drinking water supply source, receives special attention in this regard, for obvious reasons.

The Storm Water Section

The Storm Water Section of the Environmental Service Office monitors the quality of water throughout the city's storm water collection system to determine whether water bodies are being adversely impacted by pollution from construction activities, industry, erosion, and runoff from streets and highways.

When problems are noted, appropriate enforcement action is taken.

Body of water with trees in the background

Land Altering Activities

Sediment runoff from construction sites and other land-altering activities can be significant and can impair streams, lakes, and rivers. In addition, sediment often carries with it high loadings of metals, nutrients (such as phosphorus and nitrogen), and other pollutants which adversely affect the quality of downstream water bodies. 

Certain permits and erosion control/pollution prevention practices are generally required for these activities. The City's regulations concerning land-altering activities and associated permit requirements are found in Sections 34-121 et seq. of the City's Code of Ordinances. There are also separate state regulatory/permitting requirements as well for land-altering activities that disturb an acre or more.

Industrial Activities

Industrial Pollution

Industries can affect water quality in two ways:

  • Through the direct discharge of their process wastewater.
  • Through storm water which comes into contact with chemicals and other pollutants at the site and then washes offsite.

Most all industries are aware that the direct end of pipe discharge of wastewater from their industrial process requires a permit, issued by the state (or, if the discharge is to the city's sanitary sewer system, issued by the city's pretreatment section). However, many industries may not be aware that storm water runoff from their facility is also subject to regulation.

Storm water flows over and through an industrial facility, picking up pollutants from outdoor spills and leaking or dirty objects and taking these pollutants to our bayous, lakes, and rivers.

Industrial Facility Pollution Control Requirements

Federal, state, and city regulations now require certain classes of industries to obtain storm water permits and to implement pollution prevention practices.

Reporting Pollution

Do Your Part

Don't pour used motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizers, or other pollutants down the storm drainage system. Remember, all storm sewers in Shreveport drain to Red River or Cross Lake without benefit of treatment.

Illegal dumping into a storm drain

Contact Information

For additional assistance, please contact the Storm Water Office at 318-673-6583 or email Doris Flournoy-Woods.