The partnership was formed in response to requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA). As each individual agency is responsible for maintaining elements required by the CWA, we decided to save money and resources by pooling our funding and forming a single comprehensive program for our community—The Gainesville Clean Water Partnership.

Storm sewer systems in many cities discharge to local waterways without treatment. To protect the quality of local waterways, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with state environmental agencies requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. These permits require municipalities to reduce pollutants in their storm water discharges to the maximum extent practicable.