FACT SHEETS

Storm water runoff is generally classified as excess rainwater or snowmelt that is transported to surface waters by overland flow. Surface waters include any open body of water, such as lakes, rivers, streams or impoundments. Storm water runoff directly impacts sensitive waterbodies in your area by discharging pollutants carried by overland storm water flow.

Since the passage of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the quality of the Nation’s waters has improved dramatically. Despite this progress, degraded surface waters still exist. According to the 1996 National Water Quality Inventory, 79 percent of the waterbodies are polluted by urban/suburban storm water runoff and the balance by runoff from construction sites. Accordingly, in 1990 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) issued new regulations under the CWA affecting storm water runoff. Phase I of these regulations addressed storm water runoff from: (1) “medium” and “large” Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) generally serving populations of 100,000 or greater, (2) construction activity disturbing 5 acres of land or greater and (3) ten categories of industrial activity. Phase II regulations, issued on December 8, 1999 addressed storm water runoff from: (1) “small” MS4s generally serving populations of less than 100,000 and (2) small construction activity disturbing 1 to 5 acres of land.

When it rains, pollutants from overland areas and impervious surfaces such as city streets, driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks are transported directly into nearby surface waters and the sensitive waterbodies in your area. Pollutants transported from overland flow may include oils and greases (from improperly maintained automobiles), litter and debris and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (from roofs and parking lots) pesticides and herbicides (from lawns and gardens) and other dissolved solids such as salts and chlorides (from de-icing agents).In addition to pollutants from developed areas, uncontrolled runoff from ongoing construction sites yield pollutants such as sediment, petroleum products, and construction chemicals, resulting in streambed scouring, erosion and destruction of near-stream vegetative cover. Sediment-laiden runoff, petroleum products, and construction chemicals, also contribute to loss of in-stream habitats for fish and other aquatic species. In addition, excessive sediments may cause blinding of water filtration plants, a reduction in reservoir storage capacity, and frequently contribute to increase flooding and a reduction in the navigational capacity of waterways.

Pollutants from overland flow eventually end up in the sensitive waterbodies, located in your watershed, defined as that area of land that catches the storm water runoff from rain and snowmelt.

Numerous streams, lakes, wetlands and other surface impoundments are located within the Town of Philipstown. All the streams in Philipstown are tributaries to the Hudson River, which runs approximately 9.5 miles of the Town’s shoreline. These sensitive waterbodies include Clove Creek and Foundary Creek to the north, Indian Brook and Philipse Creek in the center of the Town and Annsville and Canopus Creek to the south.

Other sensitive waterbodies in Philipstown include Cold Spring Reservoir, an important source of surface drinking water supply for the Town, ponds and lakes, scattered throughout the Town.

In addition to streams, ponds and lakes, numerous freshwater wetlands, regulated by the State of New York, Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) are located in Philipstown. Wetlands are transition areas between uplands and aquatic habitats and may include marshes, swamps, bogs and wet meadows. To be regulated and protected under the Freshwater Wetlands Act, a wetland must be at least 12.4 acres (5 hectares) or larger. Wetlands, smaller than 12.4 acres, are also protected, if they are unusual or of a sensitive nature to the environment. Around every regulated wetland is an adjacent area of 100 feet, provided to as a buffer to protect the wetland.

Following EPA’s framework for Unified Watershed Assessment (UWA), New York State developed a Watershed Protection and Restoration Priorities Program that identified and categorized those watersheds, within the entire state, that needed further preserving, protection and restoration. One of the watersheds identified as a Category I Watershed (watersheds that are facing imminent threat of no meeting clean water and other natural resources goals) included the Hudson River Watershed.

According to USGS Circular 1165, on ”Water Quality in the Hudson River Basin, New York and Adjacent States, 1992-95, stream-bottom sediments in the Hudson River, contained elevated concentrations of metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which frequently exceeded federal and state water quality standards.

Residents along the shoreline rely on the Hudson River for a wide variety of uses such as boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, picnicking and relaxing. The Hudson River and its tributary streams serve as important habitats for a wide variety of flora and fauna. As cited in the Draft Philipstown Comprehensive Plan, these natural resources contribute to the public health, habitat, recreation and the Town’s community character. Hence, controlling the discharge of storm water pollutants into the Hudson River and its tributaries will further enhance the water quality and aquatic habitat restoration efforts of this important natural resource of the Town of Philipstown.

Water is our most precious natural resource, without it life ceases. Yet, judging by our water use and consumption practices, many of us take it for granted. It has been reported by the USEPA that a typical household uses approximately 260 gallons of water per day. According to the U.S. Geological Survey[1], of the 26 billion gallons of water consumed daily in the United States, approximately 7.8 billion gallons, or 30 percent[2], is devoted to outdoor uses. The majority of this, reportedly, was used for landscaping.

Utilizing lots of water for our household uses, increases the amount of wastewater being discharged to our wastewater treatment plants and/or on-site septic treatment systems.

Observing the following few simple guidelines in the garden, kitchen, bathroom and laundry room will help conserve this precious commodity.

· Water less so that grass roots go deeper into the soil and weeds growing in the top few inches of soil dry out and die[3]. Too much water promotes weak growth and increases mowing requirements

· Use of mulches aid in greater water retention, moderating soil temperatures and preventing sediment erosion

· Do all your watering early in the morning or late in the evening to prevent evaporation during the hotter afternoon hours

[1] W.B.Solley, R.R. Pierce and H.A.Perlman. 1998. Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1995 (USGS Circular 1200). USGS. Rston, VA. P. 27.

[2] Amy Vickers. 2001. Handbook of Water Use and Conservation. WaterPlow Press. Amherst, MA. P. 140

[3] Waterwiseer.org 1999American Water Works Association

[4] ENERGY STAR U.S. DOE/EPA

Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that does not soak into the ground, but runs off into nearby streams and lakes. The runoff attributable to precipitation from rain or melting snow is considered as “wet-weather” runoff. In addition to “wet-weather” run-off, nearby streams and lakes are also subject to “dry-weather” flows or “illicit discharges” from non-stormwater discharges that enter the storm drainage system through direct and indirect connections. Sources of illicit discharges include: sanitary wastes, effluent from septic tanks and overflowing septic fields, car wash discharges, improper oil disposal, radiator flushing disposal, laundry wastewaters, leakages from improperly maintained automobiles, chlorinated swimming pool discharges, improper disposal of auto and household toxics.

In order to address any illicit discharges that may exist from direct and indirect connections (illicit discharges) to the campus storm drainage system, MUFSD will develop a campus-wide drainage map for the Mamaroneck High School and the Hommocks Middle School. This map will document the campus stormwater drainage system at these schools, identify areas in need of stormwater retrofits, locate sensitive areas such as wet lands and identify the location of all outfalls.

· Element One will include the development of an overall base map, identifying the campus property boundaries and building structures

· Element two will include the development of a topographic map, identifying the extent of drainage, wetlands and streams that run through the campus

· Element three will include the development of storwater drainage map, locating current stormwater drainage system and key points of discharge

The sewer mapping project at the two school properties will be initiated in April 2007 (Permit Year 4) and will be completed by December 2007 (Permit Year 5).

After storm drainage mapping has been completed, the District will undertake storm drain stenciling of all identified manholes, catch basins curb inlets and field stake key points of discharge at the High School and the Middle School. This task will be carried out by Operations and Maintenance (O &M) Staff with assistance, as available, from MUFSD students and staff.

As a part of the program to identify illicit discharges, the District, with assistance from the O &M Staff, will conduct a field survey of all the buildings and grounds, located at the High School and the Middle School to identify non-stormwater discharges, such as foundation drains, footing drains, overflowing septic flows, improper oil and chemical disposal, chlorinated swimming pool discharges and any other discharges that may be connected to the storm drain system.

This information will be compiled and evaluated to determine if the building drains are discharging uncontaminated water and/or if these discharges should be redirected away from the storm sewer drains.

The District will also establish an Annual Inspection Program of all Building Discharges and assign roles, responsibilities and training needs, relative to the Annual Inspection Program for illicit discharges.

As part of the pollution prevention campaign on illicit discharges, the District will undertake a training program for the O & M Staff. The training program will include the distribution of educational materials on the proper handling and disposal of solid waste and non-stormwater discharges from vehicle operations, physical plant maintenance and landscaping and grounds care.

Land erosion takes place by the wearing away of the surface of the land by the action of the wind, water, snow, ice and gravity. Natural or geologic erosion occurs over a long period of time, resulting in the wearing away of mountains and the building of flood plains to create the topography we know today.

Accelerated land erosion is primarily the result of the influence of human activities on the environment such as from construction-related activities i.e. building of new schools, addition of new parking areas and recreational fields. Once soil is disturbed, the unprotected soil is then subject to rapid erosion by the action of wind, rain snow and ice.

As noted above, land erosion can be caused by water, wind, ice and gravity. The focus of this fact sheet is directed at erosion caused by stormwater runoff. Rain drops initiate the process of erosion. Initially, individual soil particles are disturbed and transported by the splashing water. This action is typically followed by sheet erosion, which is the removal of a thin layer of soil from the land surface caused by shallow sheets of water running off the land. In some cases, rill erosion develops, as the shallow surface flows begin to concentrate in low spots and irregularities of the land. Gully erosion occurs when the flows in the rills come together to form larger channels. Channel erosion is the result of a larger volume of runoff and greater velocity in the drainage channels causing movement of the stream bed and bank materials. When rainfall events occur near shorelines, shoreline erosion may occur from the surging of the stormwater runoff onto the coast line and estuarine shorelines.

The erosion potential of any area is determined by four principal factors: soil characteristics, vegetative cover such as grassed areas or planting beds, topography and rainfall intensity. The erosion potential is higher from fine sands and silts than from gravel and course sands. Vegetative cover will reduce erosion and greater erosion will occur from higher intensity, frequent and longer duration rainfall events.

Reshaping of the land during construction or development alters the soil cover, often detrimentally affecting on-site drainage and stormwater runoff patterns. Construction-related activities affect erosion by:

Phase II stormwater regulations deal with erosion and stormwater runoff from construction sites disturbing over one acre of soil. Under these regulations, a construction permit and a stormwater pollution prevention plan must be developed and submitted to the State for approval, before any construction can be initiated if the project will disturb more than one acre of soil. In addition all construction activities must be inspected by a licensed professional to ensure that the construction complies with the approved stormwater pollution prevention plan.

Send mail to delaneyn@mamkschools.org with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2005 Waste Water Management

Send mail to delaneyn@mamkschools.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005 Waste Water Management