Overview

Stormwater runoff can pose substantial risk to the quality of the receiving waterbodies. As stormwater travels over developed land, it can pick up various contaminants such as oil, pesticides, litter, sediment and other pollutants. The polluted stormwater runoff is then transported through the MS4’s stormwater network into the environment. The purpose of the MS4 general permit is to control the number of contaminants that enter the system and protect the receiving waters and wildlife within them.

About the Project

LiRo-Hill provides Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) reporting for 10 villages along the north shore of Nassau County. MS4s are municipalities which are tasked with ensuring that their stormwater networks are properly operating, are adequately maintained, and are not dispensing illicit discharges. Urban stormwater systems are designed to gather and transport stormwater runoff from developed land to prevent flooding and other related hazards caused by the accumulation of excess water on roads, parks, and other public spaces during heavy rainfall. Drainage pipes transport and discharge stormwater to surface waters nearby.

Project Challenges & Solutions

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) requires that each municipality adhere to a Stormwater Management Program and restrictions outlined in the SPDES general permit for stormwater discharges. LiRo-Hill works with their village clients on the compliance criteria of the general permit and advises them on the maintenance of stormwater infrastructure accordingly. To meet the requirements of the general permit, LiRo-Hill created and updates regularly the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) for each village. The SWMP includes six minimum control measures (MCMs) that must be established:

• Public Education and Outreach: increase public awareness and understanding of stormwater issues.
• Public Involvement and Participation: engage the community in stormwater management programs.
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: identify and remove unauthorized discharges into the stormwater system.
• Construction Site Runoff Control: implement strategies to prevent pollutants from constructions sites from entering the stormwater system.
• Post-Construction Runoff Control: manage stormwater runoff from new developments and redevelopment areas.
• Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping: establish a program to prevent and reduce pollutant runoff from municipal operations.

LiRo-Hill annually works with each village on the reporting requirements of these minimum control measures to NYSDEC. As there are some additional pollutants that NYSDEC monitors, such as pathogens or phosphorus. LiRo-Hill assists villages in adhering to these additional regulation requirements where they are applicable.

Outcome

The minimum control measures and other requirements outlined in the Stormwater Management Program Plan ensure the village follows the general permit. LiRo-Hill is continuing to aid in the process of this compliance and actively coordinates with each village according to their particular needs. As part of MS4 compliance, LiRo-Hill prepares the interim and final reports for each village and then submits it to NYSDEC. Should any SWPPPs be filed within the village by private applicants, LiRo-Hill is responsible for their review and will provide assistance to the village during the construction period.