Kankakee County received their NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit from IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) on October 20, 2004. The permit issue date was December 20, 2002. The expiration date was February 29, 2008. A new NOI (Notice of Intent) is currently being written to send to IEPA to renew the County's NPDES general permit for discharges from small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4's).

The Stormwater Ordinance was adopted by Kankakee County on May 11, 2006. The ordinance was effective August 1, 2006. The passage of this ordinance will help protect the streams and rivers of Kankakee County by helping ensure that soil does not leave construction areas and that storm water is managed to help eliminate erosion and reduce flooding.