Stormwater and You - MS4 General Permit
The General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 General Permit) is the product of a mandate by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of its Stormwater Phase II rules in 1999. This general permit requires each municipality to take steps to keep the stormwater entering its storm sewer systems clean before that stormwater enters 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.
Under the new General Permit, the Town must prepare and submit a Plan that addresses how the Town will comply with the six minimum control measures required by the NPDES permit. These six minimum measures include:
We ask that you, as a member of this community, take an active role in minimizing stormwater pollution.The first step is to educate yourself on what stormwater pollution is, and where it comes from.Please click on this section link to view information pertinent to keeping our Town’s waterways clean and help us lessen our imprint on the environment.We can all do our small part to achieve the larger goal of clean water for all to enjoy!
Our Town is required to give the public a chance to review and comment on the Stormwater Management Plan and Annual Reports. To comply, our Town will publish a public notice on this page before January 31st and will post the draft Annual Report each year by February 15th for public review and comment.
The Town of Burlington also encourages members of our community to take part in local organizations that help implement our stormwater management plan. These local organizations can include local watershed groups, land trusts, school groups, volunteer monitoring groups, and others.
Illicit discharges to the MS4 are prohibited.To find out what constitutes as an illicit discharge please click HERE for some tips on what to look for. In general, if it looks suspicious, report it.
To report a suspected or potential illicit discharge, please click the section link to fill out the form provided by clicking on the section link (this also includes offline options).
Construction sites can be substantial sources of pollution to our waterways if stormwater management controls are not in place. Use this section link to view Statewide Construction Site Guidelines, our Town’s legal authority in relation to construction site stormwater runoff controls, site inspection checklists our Town utilizes, and other pertinent information.
Our Town focuses on mitigating impacts from new and re-development by requiring practices that treat, store, and infiltrate stormwater onsite. Our Town utilizes the Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination Ordinance and Zoning Regulations, as amended; It is intended to apply to a broad range of stormwater management methodologies and evolving stormwater management developments over several decades. For further information relating to Post-Construction Site Stormwater Control, click on the section link.
Many aspects of good housekeeping and pollution prevention are applicable to keeping our waterways clean. Our Town currently utilizes a street sweeping and catchment basin cleaning program to lower sediment loading into waterways. Directly connected impervious areas (DCIA) are tracked and are carefully controlled. Our Town is also developing a Stormwater Retrofit Program.
The goal of a Stormwater Retrofit Program is to comply with Section (6) (6) (B) (ii) of the CTDEEP MS4 Stormwater General Permit. Specifically, the Town of Burlington is working to improve water quality-mitigation efforts related to stormwater management. The incorporation of stormwater retrofits into existing developed sites or redevelopment projects can reduce adverse impacts or uncontrolled stormwater runoff systems. Stormwater retrofits can also remedy local nuisance conditions and maintenance problems in older areas, as well as improve the appearance of existing facilities.
Currently, Town owned or operated properties, parks, and other facilities are the focus for the initial Retrofit Planning. The Retrofit Program will be updated as information is gathered on Town-owned or operated properties, parks, or other facilities.
To view more information relating to Good Housekeeping/Pollution Prevention, follow the section link.