Stormwater Management

The State of Texas routinely monitors receiving water quality and assesses receiving water conditions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delegated the regulatory authority of small MS4s to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). TCEQ is responsible for issuing permits to discharge waste pollutants in stormwater runoff from small MS4 systems to the state's waters.  

The Town of Little Elm operates a Phase II MS4 (small MS4) located north of Lewisville in Denton County, approximately 14 miles from Lewisville and 25 miles from Denton, north of The Colony and west of Frisco. The Town surrounds the northeast area of Lewisville Lake. The Town is 19.70 square miles in area and has a population of approximately 43,500 as of 2018. 

EPA and TCEQ regulations require that all small MS4 operators in urban areas must "develop, implement, and enforce a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable, to protect water quality..."

Please share your knowledge and help educate your community! Need a learning tool for kids? Watch "Freddy the Fish Teaches About Stormwater" or visit the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) website for more resources.

Receiving Water Bodies

  • Lewisville Lake   
  • Cottonwood Branch
  • Elm Fork Trinity River
  • Panther Creek
  • Doe Branch
  • Little Elm Creek
  • Pecan Creek

Stormwater Utility Services

Stormwater System Map
  • Gutter, inlet, and creek debris cleanouts   
  • Infrastructure improvements to mitigate flooding and erosion
  • Other drainage and water quality oriented services
  • Street sweeping
  • Water quality protection

How can you help?

Always place trash and waste in a covered trash bin.  Pick up after your pet(s.) Ensure your vehicle is not leaking fluids. Report illegal dumping, and never pour anything into a storm drain or onto a paved surface such as a parking lot. 

Remember, Only Rain in the Drain. 

Report illegal dumping to Community Integrity or Public Works immediately by emailing publicworksinfo@littleelm.org. 

Report unauthorized (illicit) discharges into the stormwater drainage system by emailing publicworksinfo@littleelm.org.  

The benefits of effective stormwater runoff management can include:
  • protection of marshes, swamps, and aquatic ecosystems
  • improved quality of receiving lakes and reservoirs 
  • water resource conservation
  • improvement to public health and safety
  • improved flood control

As stormwater flows over impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, parking lots, streets, and lawns, it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, trash, and other pollutants. Polluted runoff is the nation's greatest threat to clean water. Water discharged from the Stormwater Drainage System flows directly into our creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, and the ocean. To protect these resources, communities, developers, construction companies, local businesses, and residents must work together. 

Population growth and development are major contributors to the amount of pollutants in the runoff. The Town of Little Elm follows the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations for implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs).  

TXR040502 Little Elm SWMP NOI_for Public Notice
Phase II Small MS4 General Permit TXR040000
Little Elm SWMP Compiled Report_for Public Notice
Fact Sheet and Executive Directors Preliminary Decision TXR040000