The Environmental Quality Division is comprised of pollution prevention programs focusing on protecting water quality.  Three areas of concentration are industrial pretreatment, storm and stream water quality, and grease trap and liquid waste haulers program.  Other areas include chemical release contingency planning and spill response, noise, glare and odor complaints, and liaison for public health and air quality issues.  In its mission statement, the division "seeks to promote commitment to the environment for the protection of our residents, businesses, and natural communities by developing innovative programs that provide guidance, education, and enforcement.  It is our goal to assure public health, and to enhance the ecological integrity of our community, for the benefit of present and future generations."

The division partners with citizens to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws pertaining to environmental quality.  If there are environmental concerns that we are not equipped to address, we will try to direct you to those who can help.  We are working to improve Carrollton as "a quality of life city" through continued monitoring of business and residential impacts on our environment, and through increasing public education efforts throughout the community.  We thank you for your cooperation and look forward to better serving you and your concerns.

Division Manager Environmental Quality - Paul Shirley, M.P.H., RS

Industrial Pretreatment Program

The Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) is a federally required regulatory program aimed at controlling wastewater pollutants from industries and other point sources in the City of Carrollton.  Proper management of this program is ensured by the continuous evaluation of the wastewater streams of existing and new facilities, and the continuous reporting by and monitoring and inspection of permitted industries.

Pollution Control Program

The Pollution Prevention Program enforces federal, state, and local environmental regulations to protect Carrollton's public health and natural resources.  Pollution prevention includes monitoring liquid waste haulers to reduce illegal dumping, monitoring all grease traps to prevent city sewer system blockages or overflows, maintaining a city wide database of potentially hazardous chemicals to coordinate emergency preparation with other city officials, and responds to citizen environmental questions or complaints.

Storm Water Program

The Storm Water Management Program focuses on safeguarding the quality of our waterways by aiming to reduce the flow of contaminants into our creeks and ponds.  Storm water runoff from urban areas, like Carollton, not only threatens the health of our creeks, but can have an impact on our drinking water supplies.  To reduce the impacts of storm water pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires us to design a program to minimize the amount of contaminants discharged from our storm sewer system.  Key components of the program include public education and involvement, water quality monitoring, construction site inspections, and the development of an integrated storm water database.

Since many of our daily activities can take their toll on water quality, preventing water pollution needs to be a community-wide effort.  Through an effective program that emphasizes education, pollution prevention, and proper disposal of household chemicals we hope to enlist your participation and support.  The most important component of the city's program is YOU.  Remember, "It's your water, so take it personally."