Storm Water Runoff in the Fargo-Moorhead Area

Runoff from storms is taken directly to the river through the storm water conveyance system.

In the cities of Fargo and Moorhead, storm water runoff is carried to the Red River by a storm water conveyance system called a municipal separate storm sewer system, or MS4.

Storm water runoff enters the MS4 through numerous storm drain inlets (for example, grates in parking lots and curb drains in streets) throughout each city.

MS4s are separate from the sanitary sewer system that carries wastewater from residential and industrial developments to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) in Fargo and Moorhead.

Storm water goes directly to the river without being treated.

Storm water runoff is discharged to the Red River at multiple discharge points on both the Fargo and Moorhead side. This type of storm water discharge is considered a non-point source discharge. This type of discharge is regulated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program.

The storm water runoff in the Fargo-Moorhead area is not treated before it enters the Red River. This means that storm water runoff can carry many pollutants from the streets, parking lots, and storm conveyance systems themselves directly to the Red River. Pollutants can include vehicle fluids, car-washing detergents, pet wastes, construction debris, and excess fertilizer.

Keeping oil, fertilizer, and grass clippings out of the storm sewer is a great way to safeguard the health of the Red River.

Click here to learn what you can do to prevent impacts to the river from storm water. Click here to learn more about the NPDES Storm Water Program. Click here to learn what Fargo and Moorhead are doing to meet the new NPDES Phase II storm water regulations.