Stormwater Phase 2 |
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What is Stormwater Phase 2?
In 1972 Congress passed the Clean Water Act in order to respond to concerns about stormwater discharges. Urban runoff was causing significant water quality impacts as demonstrated by surveys and studies which also indicated that those impacts could be addressed by a variety of controls. The Clean Water Act was amended in 1987 to require the permitting and control of urban stormwater discharges. The pollutants identified in stormwater runoff were numerous and included sediments, bacteria, nutrients, pesticides, fertilizers, greases, heavy metals, suspended soils, petroleum hydrocarbons, herbicides, etc. and originated from sources such as parking lots, gas stations, urban streets, construction sites, landfills, road salt, lawns and driveways, sand, acid rain, airports, golf courses, etc. As a result, surveys showed that over 400 estuaries, 20% of lakes, ponds and reservoirs and around 15% of rivers and streams were impaired. To carry out the 1987 amendment to the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency developed a phased approach to permitting stormwater discharges and requiring controls to address the adverse impacts of these discharges. Phase 1 would require Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) with populations of over 100,000 to submit National/State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (N/SPDES) permit application by 1992 and 1993. Phase 2 would involve the submittal of N/SPDES permit application for MS4 with populations under 100,000 by 2003. The Village of Elmira Heights submitted the Notice Of Intent (NOI) on May 2003.
The Phase 2 approach requires that the owners and operators of an MS4 develop and implement by January 2008 a Stormwater Control Program involving 6 minimum measures:
- Public education and outreach on the impacts of stormwater runoff.
- Public involvment and participation in developing and implementing stormwater programs.
- Detection and elimination of illicit and illegal connections to stormwater systems.
- Control of runoff from construction sites disturbing more than 1 Acre.
- Post construction stormwater controls or treatment from new developments and redeveloped sites.
- Pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices as part of regular or routine operation and management of storm sewer.
But What is Stormwater?
It is water from precipitations (rain and snow) that runs off into waterways without being absorbed by the ground. This water flows from streets, driveways, parking lots, lawns, roofs, etc. collecting on its way a variety of pollutants such as oil, grease, animal waste, salt, fertilizers, herbicides, etc.
As a result, polluted runoffs impair lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other bodies of water. Nutrients and other pollutants (oil, antifreeze, sediments, soils, etc.) threaten the health of aquatic life and can kill fish. Bacteria from illicit discharges and animal waste can pollute lakes, recreational swimming areas, and damage shellfish life, rendering it improper for human consumption. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), half of the impaired waterways are affected by urban and suburban stormwater runoff.
What can we do as a concerned Public?
The best way to control the pollutants entering our waterways is at the source. Good housekeeping and best management practices can help to make significant improvement. By following these simple rules you can do your part in preserving the quality of our waterways.
- Do not wash your vehicles in your driveway. If you have to do it, use your lawn.
- Do not service your vehicles above drywells or catch basins. Try to prevent leaks.
- If you can, do not use fertilizer on your lawn. If you must, do it in moderation.
- When you take your pets for a walk, pick-up after them.
- Do not illegally connect your septic system (if you have one) to a stormwater pipe.
- Do not dump chemicals on the ground or drain.
- When you mow your lawn, do not blow the grass onto the street.
- Drain your swimming pool or spa in the sanitary sewer system whenever possible and without chlorine in the water.
Fortunately the entire Village of Elmira Heights is connected to the Chemung County Sewer System since the 1960s thus eliminating the use and maintenance of septic systems.
Let’s make a difference
Water pollution is everyone’s problem and not someone else’s responsibility. We all live in a watershed and the pollution we cause in our daily activities ends up in our water. Small simple changes in our daily life are needed and paying attention to our actions can help. Sometimes bigger changes will be required and acting together as property owners, business owners, farmers, local officials, and regular citizens, we can make a difference and protect the future of the generations to come.
Stormwater Coalition
In the summer of 2002, representatives of all the municipalities of Chemung county started to hold monthly meetings in order to better coordinate their stormwater management activities.The Chemung County Storm Water Coalition was created and each political legislative body passed a resolution to adopt an intermunicipal agreement to cooperate in meeting the Federal and State Stormwater Phase 2 regulations in Chemung county. Fom time to time, grants are available and applications are submited trough the Chemung County Soil and Water Conservation Department .The funds allocated to municipalities help to establish shared services and programs to answer the 6 minimum measures requirements.The village of Elmira Heights is providing each year an annual report detailing its activities in order to be compliant with the regulations of the Storm Water Phase 2 Program by January of 2008.
For more infos go to http://www.chemungcounty.com/index.asp?pageId=395