Stormwater Management
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.
DEP is working to engage stakeholders to prevent the introduction of pollutants into stormwater through it's 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 Environmental Protection (DEP), to deal with stormwater pollution.
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The Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activities General Permit requires industrial facilities to cover or remove materials whose exposure to precipitation could produce polluted stormwater.
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The Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities 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.
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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.
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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, 406K) (PDF, 221K)
Related Guidance
Content Last Updated June 4, 2008
