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Invitation for Bids: For the purchase of 2025 or Newer Tandem-Axle Dump Truck

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

The City of Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety is soliciting sealed bids for the purchase of a tandem-axle dump truck for use in the City of Goshen’s Street Department. The Board of Public Works and Safety is hereinafter referred to as “City”.  Offers shall be submitted in accordance with... more

Indiana Avenue Bridge Closure

Thursday, September 5, 2024

The Indiana Avenue bridge (Bridge 403) will be closed between Chicago Avenue and River Avenue on Wednesday, 9/11/24, starting at approximately 8AM. The bridge will be closed for Elkhart County bridge inspections and should be back open by the end of the day. Access will be maintained between Indiana... more

Ferndale Road Closure at Railroad Crossing

Thursday, September 5, 2024

NIPSCO Gas has requested permission to close Ferndale Road / CR 15 at the railroad crossing between Elkhart Road / US 33 and CR 45, starting Monday, September 9, until Tuesday, October 1, 2024. NIPSCO is requesting this closure in order to complete a gas valve replacement at the intersection. Nipsco... more

Upcoming Events All »

Board of Works

Today, 4:00pm

To join the webinar please copy and paste this link on your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88469251269

Maple City Walk

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 8:00am

Board of Aviation Commissioners

Monday, September 16, 2024, 2:00pm

Stormwater Information

Clean Water Act

The requirements the Goshen stormwater program is founded on began in 1948 with the enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. This act was amended in 1972, and today is commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA). There have been subsequent amendments since, but the core of the program remains focused on improving water quality by preventing the release of contaminants to waterways. For more information on the Clean Water Act, visit the EPA's History of the Clean Water Act webpage or the "Learn About the Clean Water Act" webpage from Wyoming LLC Attorney. 


Local Ordinances

Currently, the City of Goshen's Stormwater Ordinances reference and reflect Indiana stormwater regulations established by 327 IAC 15 – 13 known as Rule 13. In December of 2021, Rule 13 was repealed and replaced with regulation by permit called the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer General Permit (MS4GP). The Stormwater Department is currently working with stakeholders to evaluate and update our Ordinances to reflect this regulatory change.  


Why does Goshen have local regulations?

As part of the Clean Water Act, but administered by individual States, cities and urbanized areas meeting certain population thresholds are required to obtain a permit to discharge their stormwater runoff to the Waters of the United States. As required by law, the City of Goshen holds a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit (MS4GP) administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

A Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, also known as an MS4., is defined by IDEM as “a conveyance or a system of conveyances owned by a state, city, town, or other public entity that discharges to waters of the United States and is designed or used for collecting or conveying [stormwater].” A stormwater conveyance has a broad definition and is not always just a system of underground pipes; a conveyance can include roads with drainage systems, gutters, and ditches.

To maintain permit coverage and continue discharging stormwater runoff to the Elkhart River, Rock Run Creek, and other waterways, the City of Goshen must meet the requirements of our permit organized into six (6) "Minimum Control Measures." The Stormwater Department ensures the City manages our potential water pollutants by implementing the following minimum control measures:  

1.   Public Education & Outreach

Develop and initiate public education programs addressing the impacts of stormwater leaving our community. The Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District assists with this program requirement on behalf of all MS4 Communities within Elkhart County.

2.   Public Participation & Involvement

Getting residents and property owners involved in activities that promote clean-water practices. The Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District assists with this program requirement on behalf of all MS4 Communities within Elkhart County.

3.   Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

Seeking out and eliminating sources of water pollution. The City of Goshen performs this task in-house. The streams and ditches within the corporate boundary of the City of Goshen have been walked and boated to identify each pipe and ditch outfall that represents a point source discharge. These discharge points have been photographed, GPS located, and cataloged. Discharge of water from these structures have been sampled 36 hours following a rain event and screened for color, smell, temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and E. coli. Discharge points with pollutants are sampled more frequently and the source of the pollutants is traced back to the source for corrective measures.

Click the pictures below to see videos describing what an illicit discharge is and why prevention is important.

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English                                                                          Spanish

4.   Construction Site Runoff Control

Ensuring that all construction sites are operated and maintained in such a way as to reduce or eliminate pollution leaving their sites. The Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District fulfills this program requirement on behalf of the MS4 Communities within Elkhart County.

5.   Post-Construction Runoff Control

Developing requirements of new development that promote clean water even after the construction is over. The City of Goshen Stormwater Department manages the post-construction program. As new developments are constructed, stormwater management plans are developed for the properties to follow. On a five (5) year cycle, the Goshen Stormwater Department checks in with each plan holder to verify they are following their stormwater plan and to make sure the original stormwater assets are still functioning as intended.

6.   Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping

Cities are responsible for conducting their operations and maintaining their facilities in a manner that does not introduce additional pollution into the stormwater system and waterways. The City of Goshen’s staff is regularly trained on best management practices to minimize stormwater pollution. With the update of the City’s street department facility and central garage, special site features have been added to eliminate or capture pollutants associated with heavy equipment and vehicle maintenance.