Best Management Practices Toolbox

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are utilized to control water pollution by managing the sources from which pollutants are released, and/or treating waters that have become polluted. Source control and treatment BMPs limit the amount of pollutants that otherwise would enter a receiving water due to land development or other disturbances.

BMPs are typically designed and developed on a site-specific basis by qualified professionals. However, home owners and other proponents of small projects may be able to employ more simple BMPs that can measurably reduce the impact of NPS pollution. A BMP can be as uncomplicated as a rain gutter downspout directed to a rain barrel, or as complex as a roadway runoff multi-cartridge treatment filter costing thousands of dollars.

The Bureau of Water Quality Planning is responsible for developing and updating the state Best Management Practices Handbook. Last updated in 1994, this handbook’s utility has been eclipsed by other sources of information that describe contemporary BMPs with greater effectiveness and cost benefit. For this reason, persons needing a BMP consult should not rely on the 1994 Handbook alone.

Click on the Best Management Practices Toolbox below to access the state Handbook and several additional BMP resources for your use.