Adreonna RaineyEvery time it rains on campus, thousands of gallons of water move across rooftops, sidewalks, and construction sites before entering storm drains. Without proper controls, that water can carry pollutants into nearby streams and rivers. As the University of Kentucky continues a period of rapid campus expansion, managing stormwater runoff has become a critical part of protecting local waterways. Stormwater management is important because environmental stewardship and infrastructure protection remain central responsibilities for growing institutions like the University of Kentucky.
This three-part investigative series explores how the University of Kentucky manages water quality amid construction projects. The first blog explored the importance of stormwater management and insight into the historical development of water regulations. This blog examines how the University of Kentucky manages stormwater. The final blog will focus on the role students play in stormwater management.
Stormwater regulations were established through amendments to the Clean Water Act.
Under these regulations, smaller urbanized areas, including universities, must obtain coverage under a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. These permits are designed to ensure that stormwater runoff from developed areas does not degrade surface water quality.
The University of Kentucky operates as a Phase II MS4 permit holder, a designation it has held since 2010. In order to meet permit requirements, the university must implement six federally mandated control measures aimed at reducing pollution carried by stormwater. During periods of rapid construction, the university enforces control measures that focus on erosion and sediment control during active construction. These measures ensure that permanent infrastructure is installed to manage runoff once projects are completed.
Historical Efforts
Stormwater compliance at the University of Kentucky is managed through the Environmental Quality Management (EQM) unit. However, responsibility is shared across multiple campus departments to ensure compliance with MS4 permit requirements.
Since 2012, the University of Kentucky has undergone a major redevelopment period, and currently has 60 active UK capital projects totaling just under $6.7 billion. This large-scale transformation has made stormwater planning even more important.
Currently, all ongoing development projects that increase impervious surface area must either:
- Reduce impervious surface coverage by 20 percent
- Provide water quality treatment for 20 percent of existing impervious surface, plus any new impervious surface added, or
- Implement a combination of both strategies
The University of Kentucky also conducts routine inspections and maintenance of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), and these standards help ensure that ongoing campus development does not gradually worsen runoff conditions. Instead, they encourage improvements in how water is managed across the built environment.
Current Efforts
Every infrastructure project now incorporates permanent stormwater controls that require ongoing inspection and maintenance, significantly increasing operational responsibility. These BMPs are visible, functional features integrated into campus landscapes.
Notably, the Alumni Drive stream restoration project transformed a frequently flooded and muddy area near the UK Soccer and Softball Complex into a restored stream ecosystem. The project restored 600 feet of stream using native vegetation, natural grading, and structural elements like rocks and fallen trees. This site serves as both a stormwater BMP and an outdoor classroom for students studying hydrogeology.
Another notable BMP integration is the Alumni Drive Improvement Project, which incorporated green infrastructure and stormwater management strategies alongside roadway reconstruction, helping manage runoff while improving transportation efficiency and safety.
The university is also working to develop a comprehensive stormwater operations manual that will serve as a centralized standard operating procedure, as well as implement a preventative maintenance program for all structural BMPs to ensure systems function as designed and deficiencies are addressed before they become compliance risks.
During a period of rapid development and renovation, managing runoff is essential. Through expanded stormwater infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and long-term maintenance programs, the University of Kentucky is working to ensure that campus growth does not come at the expense of environmental stewardship.
