STORMWATER
Stormwater In New England
FINDING SOLUTIONS
What we're doing
in Connecticut
U.S. EPA I STORMWATER OUTREACH AT iPA NEW ENGLAND
STORMWATER Is a /coding cause of poor water quality. Rain or
me/ted snow runs down driveways, sidewalks and streets carrying oil. din.
and other pollutants into nearby waterways. Polluted runoff, which can
cause erosion and flooding, runs into waterways and degrades plants, fish,
shellfish and other wildlife. In water used for recreation, the runoff can
lead to iltness, and people who eat contaminated fish con also become side.
Untreated stormwater can also contaminate drinking water sources.
INTRO:
Connecticut issues permits for discharging pollution into bodies of waisr. Modeled after the federal National Pollution
Discharge Bmination System (NPDES), the state program requires permits for stormwater discharges front ndustrial
activities, construction activities where one or -nore acres of sol is disturbed, and 113 municipal sewer systems.
Connecticut's permits go beyond federal stormwater regulation to require permits for commercial activities wtth five or
more acres of paved area. The state permits encourage growth that avoids wetlands, maintains open space, protects the
edges of sensitive water bodies anc minimizes paving over green areas. The state encourages building in urban areas and
areas that cari handle more runoff.
TO MANAGE STORMWATER
IN CONNECTICUT WE ARE:
Enforcing laws to Improve waterways — The towns of
Durham, Middlefield and Bethlehem were eadi cited
for violating stormwater laws and ordered by the state
Department of Environmental Protection to reduce the
impact of development as part of a penalty agreement.
These towns proposed programs to better manage pet
waste, plant along streams and river banks, and lay porous
pavement. Funding from other enforcement actions will
support low impact development in 10 communities in
the Farmington River watershed. These communities will
review local regulations to remove barriers to low impact
development and encourage responsible land use,
Restoring a community pond - Shallow water and a
high concentration of nutrients left Edgewood Park Pond
in New Haven in danger of becoming highly polluted.
Diverting srarmwater, dredging the pond, replanting the
bank and restoring fish habrtat led to less sedimentation,
improved fish habitat, and less fecal contamination from
waterfowl. As a result, pond water quality is -nudi better
and large fsh have returned.*
Ua'ng manure productively - Two dairy farms in North
Canaan used innovative approaches to manage manure
and move nutrie-its off the ferns and out of the water-
shed. The state and EPA supported studies to find
options, which led to commercially successful side busi-
nesses producing bulk compost and planting pots made
of manure. The farms also hope to produce methane for
power generation and develop product lines that indude
bagged compost and soil planting mix.*
Restoring urban parks - Work to restore the banks of
the French River in Riverside Park Included adding; a rain
garden that collects runoff from a small gazebo; native
perennials, shrubs and trees along the bank; pet waste
collecting stations; picnic benches; and a fishing access site.*
Involving die buMiteu community — Seventy private
businesses in the Hockanum River watershed became
"business partners" with the North Central Conservation
District and agreed to use stormwater "best management
practices' at their facilities.*
Limiting the volume of jtorrnwater - The state is restric-
hg the amount of polluted runoff that can be sent into
Eaglevil e Brook in the town of Mansfield, Using a 'total
maximurr daily load* limit, the state is req jiring the town
to reduce the amount of stormwater that goes into the
brook. The project is focustrg on minirizing non-ponius
pavement r the area,*
*7hese prefects received EPA funds or support
KEY CONTACTS:
MAHYANN NUSOM-
HAVERSTOCK
Supervising Environments) Analyst
Connecticut Department of
Environment^ Protection
(860) 424-3347
maryananu5orn-ha«rstod(!@ctgov
STEVE WINNETT
EPA New England
Water Quality Branch
(617)916-1687
winnett.steven@epa.gov
GENERAL INFO:
EPA NEW ENGLAND
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912
(617) 918-1111
www.epa.gov/region 1/
EPA TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-888-EPA-7341
LEARN MORE AT:
www.epa.gov/region 1/
topics/water/stormwater.html
tinned Statsi
Environmental Pro tact ion
k Agency
0 printed on 100% recydod pop"'. ** ° minimum of 50% po*t
EPA-901-F-1W)U
November 2010
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