Stormwater Runoff

Stormwater runoff is the excess rain or melted snow that cannot be absorbed by the soil and flows off our roofs and over our yards, parking lots, and streets.  It picks up pollutants along the way such as trash, fertilizer, oils and other toxic chemicals and typically enters a storm drain system where it is transported directly to a watercourse or waterbody.  It has been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a major contributor of pollution to our watercourses, waterbodies and wetlands, and is a also concern for both flooding and water quality.

Storm drains

Storm drains are the openings you see along curbs, in streets and parking lots.  Their purpose is to collect stormwater runoff and direct it through a conveyance system to a discharge point.  New development is required to discharge the stormwater runoff into best management practices (BMPs) to treat a portion of the stormwater.  However, older systems did not have this requirement and too many discharge into a nearby lake or stream.  So anything that is flowing with the water into the storm drain gets carried directly to the stream.

Pollution

Rainfall or snowmelt alone is not polluted, but becomes polluted when it picks up lawn and plant fertilizers, oils and heavy metals from cars, pet waste, litter and just about anything in its path.  Anything that goes into a storm drain eventually ends up in a lake or stream.  This is why we must do out best to prevent pollutants from entering the storm drains.

Storm Sewers vs. Sanitary Sewers

Some people confuse storm drains with sanitary sewers and assume that storm drains are connected to the wastewater treatment plants.  This is not the case, because storm drains are only meant for stormwater.  Storm sewers discharge the stormwater to a stream or lake with minimal treatment, if any.  A sanitary sewer, on the other hand, takes household waste water from toilets, sinks and showers and transports it to a wastewater treatment facility where the water is treated thoroughly before it is released back to a lake or stream.  In either case, it is not appropriate to throw trash into either a storm sewer or the sanitary sewer.  Trash should be recycled, otherwise, it should be put in the garbage for the landfill.

What is being done?

Westchester County received a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to implement a regional Stormwater Education and Outreach program.  The County will be working with local municipal partners to deliver educational materials, such as Public Service Announcements, print material and an interactive website, to the residents of Westchester County.  The County is in the final stages of executing a contract with the State, but by 2008, Westchester County residents will have an array of materials to work with and learn from.

Background

In November 1999 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized regulations that require small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in urbanized areas to reduce discharges from storm sewers to the maximum extent practicable by developing and implementing programs to manage stormwater runoff.  The six minimum measures are:

1.     Public Education and Outreach
2.     Public Involvement/Participation
3.     Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
4.     Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
5.     Post Construction Stormwater Management
6.     Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operators

Westchester County, in conjunction with participating municipalities, will utilize funds from the DEC to comply with these National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II regulations by addressing the first two minimum control measures for stormwater management: Public Education and Outreach, and Public Participation/Involvement.

What can I do?

Practice best management practices of stormwater every day and spread the word: Only rain should go down the storm drain!

If you would like to monitor the water quality in your watershed, you can volunteer with the Westchester County Citizens Volunteer Monitoring Program.

Click on this link for frequently asked questions.

Winter Highway Salt Usage

What does road salt used during snow storm events have in common with stormwater runoff?

Salt that is used to melt snow eventually gets carried away into storm drains or nearby soils.  While the use of road salt is important for public safety, excess amounts can be harmful to the environment and degrade water quality.  Best management practices are the best way to minimize excess salt use to save money and protect water quality.  The Northern Westchester Watershed Committee created a task force to determine best management practices for Westchester.  Click on this link to view the Croton Watershed Highway Deicing Task Force final report.

 

For more information:

Christina M. Anderson, Environmental Planner
Westchester County Department of Planning
148 Martine Avenue, Room 432
White Plains, NY 10601
P: 914-995-3782
F: 914-995-9093
cca1@westchestergov.com