- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Public Works
- Water & Sewer
- Storm Water Management
Storm Water Management
All the water from rain and snow that falls in Hopkins and is not absorbed or evaporated runs into the City’s storm sewer system, entering through storm drains found in streets and gutters.
Storm sewer pipes then carry this clear water (not waste water, which goes through the sanitary sewer system) to streams, ponds, or other water bodies.
Storm Water Grants
Storm water grants are available to some, find more information about these grants.
Where Your Water Goes
Hopkins is divided by two watersheds-the Nine Mile Creek Watershed and Minnehaha Creek Watershed. The northern and eastern portions of the city drain to Minnehaha Creek, and the southern and central portions of the city drain to Nine Mile Creek. The city has been delineated into about 60 subwatersheds.
Blue Star Award
In 2010, Hopkins was one of four cities in Minnesota to be awarded a Blue Star Award, given to communities that are taking a leadership role in protecting Minnesota’s water resources and public health through excellence in stormwater management.
How It Gets Polluted
As the water moves to the drains, it picks up sediment and pollutants from yards, streets, parking lots, roofs, etc., and carries them through the storm sewer system into creeks, ponds, and other water bodies. This can include soil, leaves, grass clippings, pet waste, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and litter, all which can have a damaging effect on the natural body of water they end up in.
What The City Does
- Complies with NPDES regulations (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System)
- Maintains storm water ponds, which help filter sediment and pollutants before the water reaches natural waterways.
- Sweeps streets, to keep sediment from washing into the storm water system.
What You Can Do
- Report illegal dumping
- Properly dispose of your yard waste
- Properly dispose of your household hazardous waste
- Recycle and dispose of your household waste
- Attend the City’s annual storm water meeting, held every April
- Plant a rain garden and keep a healthy yard
- Volunteer with your watershed: Minnehaha Creek (northern and eastern portions of Hopkins) or Nine Mile Creek (southern and central Hopkins).