What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is water resulting from rain or snowmelt that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, highways and parking lots. Along the way, the water may pick up and transport contaminants including motor oils, gasoline, antifreeze, and brake dust (commonly found on pavements), fertilizers and pesticides (found on landscaped areas), and soil sediments (from farms and construction sites). The water eventually flows into a local stream, river or lake, or into a storm drain and continues through storm pipes until it is released untreated into a local waterbody.

Stormwater results in significant pollution to surface water affecting primary contact recreation such as swimming and aquatic life use support.

DEEP is working to engage stakeholders to prevent the introduction of pollutants into stormwater through its Non Point Source Pollution Management and Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Programs.

How is Stormwater Regulated?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated a number of permit programs, administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), to deal with stormwater pollution.

1. The General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity (“Industrial General Permit”) regulates industrial facilities with point source discharges that are engaged in specific activities listed in the permit.  To register for this program, these facilities must submit a registration form, and implement a Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP).  The PPP must include information about the site, an inventory of exposed materials, a summary of potential pollutants, a description of and schedule for implementation of storm water control methods, storm water monitoring, and site inspection.

A revised Industrial General Permit became effective on October 1, 2011.  All industrial facilities were required to re-register for the revised Industrial General Permit by June 1, 2011.  Registration forms and additional information for the revised permit are available below:

a.  General Permit with modifications (effective October 1, 2011)

Check the Status of your Registration/Certification

• status of your General Permit Registration
• status of your No Exposure Certification

How To Register

• Instructions for Completing the Registration eForm
• Instructions for Completing the No Exposure Certification (eForm)
• Download the eForms software and registration/certifications eforms
• Guidance Documents
  • Pollution Prevention Plan Guidance Document
  • Impaired Waters Monitoring Table
  • Video Tutorial - General Permit with modifications

       Stormwater Monitoring Report Forms:

Use the appropriate form, from the list below, to submit stormwater monitoring data to the department. Refer to Section 5(e) of the general permit with modifications for specific information on monitoring requirements.

Note: The monitoring forms below dated 9/1/11 have been revised to correct an error in the Sector H form and to include updated certification language (new revision date: 10/17/11).

2. The Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities General Permit  ("Construction General Permit") requires developers and builders to implement stormwater management plans that will prevent the movement of soil and sediments off construction sites and into nearby streams and water bodies. The current Construction General Permit has been extended to October 1, 2013. On March 24, 2011, the Department issued a notice of tentative determination to renew the Construction General Permit. 

   Public Notice and proposed Construction General Permit with modifications

   Note:  Since the hearing process associated with the proposed Construction General Permit with modifications is not yet complete, the Department has reissued the existing permit to extend the expiration date from October 1, 2012 to October 1, 2013.  The Department will not require projects authorized by the permit term ending on October 1, 2012 to re-register for the 1 yr extension.  Existing projects will be required to re-register upon issuance of the Construction General Permit with modifications (expected on October 1, 2013). 

    

3. The Stormwater Associated with Commercial Activities General Permit, found only in Connecticut, requires operators of large paved commercial sites such as malls, movie theaters, and supermarkets to undertake actions such as parking lot sweeping and catch basin cleaning to keep stormwater clean before it reaches water bodies.

4. The Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems General Permit, only recently implemented in Connecticut, requires each municipality to take steps to keep the stormwater entering its storm sewer systems clean before entering water bodies. One important element of this permit is the requirement that towns implement public education programs to make residents aware that stormwater pollutants emanate from many of their everyday living activities, and to inform them of steps they can take to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff.

2002 Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

2004 Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual

Errata Sheet for 2004 Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual

Stormwater Quality Worksheet (Word) (PDF)

Related Guidance

• Auto Recycling Industry Compliance Guide (PDF)
• Snow Disposal - Guideline for Disposal of Snow Accumulations from Roadways and Parking Lots
• Guidance for Disposal of Vehicle Wash Water

• EPA Stormwater Homepage
• Risk Assessment of Artificial Turf Fields