Stormwater
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that doesn't soak into the ground but runs off into waterways. It flows from rooftops, over paved areas and bare soil, and through sloped lawns while picking up a variety of materials on its way. The quality of runoff is affected by a variety of factors and depends on the season, local meteorology, geography and upon activities which lie in the path of the flow.
What is the problem?
As it flows, stormwater runoff collects and transports pollutants to surface waters. Although the amount of pollutants from a single residential, commercial, industrial or construction site may seem unimportant, the combined concentrations of contaminants threaten our lakes, rivers, wetlands and other water bodies. Pollution conveyed by stormwater degrades the quality of drinking water, damages fisheries and habitat of plants and animals that depend on clean water for survival. Pollutants carried by stormwater can also affect recreational uses of water bodies by making them unsafe for wading, swimming, boating and fishing. According to an inventory conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), half of the impaired waterways are affected by urban/suburban and construction sources of stormwater runoff.
Examples of Pollution in Stormwater
What can be done?
Significant improvements have been achieved in controlling pollutants that are discharged from sewage and wastewater treatment plants. Across the nation, attention is being shifted to sources of pollution, such as stormwater runoff, that are not normally treated by wastewater treatment plants. Stormwater management, especially in urban areas, is becoming a necessary step in seeking further reductions in pollution in our waterways.
The best way to control contamination to stormwater is usually at the source, where the contaminants can be identified, reduced or contained before being conveyed to surface water. More often than not, it's more expensive and difficult to remove the combination of contaminants that are present at the end-of-pipe where stormwater is finally discharged directly to a receiving waterbody. Sometimes, significant improvements can be made by employing best management practices, or "BMPs". Proper storage of chemicals, good housekeeping and just plain paying attention to what's happening during runoff events can lead to relatively inexpensive ways of preventing pollutants from getting into the runoff in the first place and then our waterways.
How is Stormwater regulated in NYS?
Stormwater management is mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) through the 1987 Amendments of the Clean Water Act. In New York State the Clean Water Act is implemented by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). DEC has issued “general permits” to regulate stormwater discharges from construction sites and designated municipalities.
Where can I get help in Schuyler County?
In Schuyler County, there are no designated municipalities; therefore the only stormwater regulation that is in play is the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity. This permit is for any land disturbance (filling, excavating, clearing, grubbing, etc) that disturbs greater than one acre of soil. This activity is regulated by DEC.
Our office can provide assistance with:
Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that doesn't soak into the ground but runs off into waterways. It flows from rooftops, over paved areas and bare soil, and through sloped lawns while picking up a variety of materials on its way. The quality of runoff is affected by a variety of factors and depends on the season, local meteorology, geography and upon activities which lie in the path of the flow.
What is the problem?
As it flows, stormwater runoff collects and transports pollutants to surface waters. Although the amount of pollutants from a single residential, commercial, industrial or construction site may seem unimportant, the combined concentrations of contaminants threaten our lakes, rivers, wetlands and other water bodies. Pollution conveyed by stormwater degrades the quality of drinking water, damages fisheries and habitat of plants and animals that depend on clean water for survival. Pollutants carried by stormwater can also affect recreational uses of water bodies by making them unsafe for wading, swimming, boating and fishing. According to an inventory conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), half of the impaired waterways are affected by urban/suburban and construction sources of stormwater runoff.
Examples of Pollution in Stormwater
- Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can promote the overgrowth of algae, deplete oxygen in the waterway and be harmful to other aquatic life.
- Bacteria from animal wastes and illicit connections to sewerage systems can make nearby lakes and bays unsafe for wading, swimming and the propagation of edible shellfish.
- Oil and grease from automobiles causes sheen and odor and makes transfer of oxygen difficult for aquatic organisms.
- Sediment from construction activities clouds waterways and interferes with the habitat of living things that depend upon those waters.
- Careless application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers affect the health of living organisms and cause ecosystem imbalances.
- Litter damages aquatic life, introduces chemical pollution, and diminishes the beauty of our waterways.
What can be done?
Significant improvements have been achieved in controlling pollutants that are discharged from sewage and wastewater treatment plants. Across the nation, attention is being shifted to sources of pollution, such as stormwater runoff, that are not normally treated by wastewater treatment plants. Stormwater management, especially in urban areas, is becoming a necessary step in seeking further reductions in pollution in our waterways.
The best way to control contamination to stormwater is usually at the source, where the contaminants can be identified, reduced or contained before being conveyed to surface water. More often than not, it's more expensive and difficult to remove the combination of contaminants that are present at the end-of-pipe where stormwater is finally discharged directly to a receiving waterbody. Sometimes, significant improvements can be made by employing best management practices, or "BMPs". Proper storage of chemicals, good housekeeping and just plain paying attention to what's happening during runoff events can lead to relatively inexpensive ways of preventing pollutants from getting into the runoff in the first place and then our waterways.
How is Stormwater regulated in NYS?
Stormwater management is mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) through the 1987 Amendments of the Clean Water Act. In New York State the Clean Water Act is implemented by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). DEC has issued “general permits” to regulate stormwater discharges from construction sites and designated municipalities.
Where can I get help in Schuyler County?
In Schuyler County, there are no designated municipalities; therefore the only stormwater regulation that is in play is the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity. This permit is for any land disturbance (filling, excavating, clearing, grubbing, etc) that disturbs greater than one acre of soil. This activity is regulated by DEC.
Our office can provide assistance with:
- General information and assistance with obtaining a SPDES Construction Activity Permit and filling out the paperwork
- Site assessment to determine the need for a general permit
- Review of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
- Stormwater Presentations geared towards education of municipal officials, highway workers, planning boards, and code enforcement officers.
- 4 Hour Erosion and Sediment Control Training for Contractors
Important Links
- NYS Stormwater Design Manual
- NYSDEC Contacts & Stormwater Publications
- DEC Stormwater
- EPA Stormwater
- Fact Sheet- Disturbance of 5 acres or more
- Stormwater Permit Information for Highway Activities
- Agricultural Management Practices the do/don't require a permit
- Construction Activities that require a SWPPP
- Moving Dirt? (Brochure)