What we do on land eventually affects our water resources


Stormwater runoff is the excess rain or melted snow that cannot be absorbed by the soil and flows off our roofs, and over our yards, parking lots, and streets. It becomes nonpoint source pollution when it picks up contaminants along the way such as litter, fertilizer, and car oils, and enters a storm drain system where it is transported to a waterbody. Stormwater runoff has been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a major contributor of pollution to our watercourses, waterbodies and wetlands, and is also a concern for flooding.
 

Storm Drains

Storm drains are the grate openings you see along curbs, streets and parking lots. Their purpose is to collect stormwater runoff and direct it through a conveyance system to a discharge point such as a stream or lake. A sanitary sewer, on the other hand, takes household waste water from toilets, sinks and showers and transports it to a wastewater treatment facility where the water is treated thoroughly before it is released.

Westchester County Efforts
In November 1999 the EPA finalized regulations that require small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in urbanized areas to reduce discharges from storm sewers to the maximum extent practicable by developing and implementing programs to manage stormwater runoff.  Many of Westchester County’s programs already meet these permit requirements, and others are being created to provide even more protection of our water resources.

• County Stormwater Program
  Westchester County is also a regulated entity under the Phase II program. For information on the county stormwater program, annual reports, and other information, contact David Kvinge, Director of Environmental Planning by phone at (914) 995-2089 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . A public meeting to present the draft 2009 annual report is scheduled for May 12, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 420 of the Michaelian Office Building. Read the legal notice.
  

• Stormwater Education and Outreach Program
  The Department of Planning, in partnership with most of Westchester’s local municipalities, is implementing a regional Stormwater Education and Outreach program through a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The program will help residents and others learn about ways that they can reduce stormwater pollution.

• County MS4 Permit
  The County is a regulated MS4 and has developed a Stormwater Management Plan for County property.  The management plan, annual reports, public review and meeting information, and a stormwater repository will be available online.

• Stormwater Retrofits
  The County is installing a variety of stormwater best management practices (BMPs) to treat runoff from existing impervious areas.  A map of these BMP locations, along with project information sheets, will be available online upon completion of the retrofits.

• Illicit Discharge
  Westchester County field personnel conduct routine testing of the county’s stormwater system to detect and pinpoint the sources of illicit discharges, but they also depend on the public to report any possible sources of pollution. Please contact the illicit discharge hotline, through the county Department of Health at (914) 813-5000. Please provide the location and nature of the incident (odor, visible pollutants, illegal dumping, etc.) so the county can notify the appropriate personnel and respond in the most effective manner.

What can I do?
Your day-to-day activities on land have an effect on your water quality, whether it’s your drinking water or your favorite beach, but there are simple things that you can do differently in order to protect this valuable, natural resource.

• Start by familiarizing yourself with the water cycle.
• Then identify the watershed you live in so that you understand which water bodies are affected by your land use activities.
• Build a rain garden or a rain barrel on your property.
• Explore the individual land use activities on the right drop down menu.
• Or, volunteer with the Westchester County Citizen Volunteer Monitoring Program.

For more information, contact Christina M. Anderson, Environmental Planner, by phone at (914) 995-3782 or by e-mail at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .