Stormwater

Stormwater is generated by rain or snow that runs off a land surface such as saturated soils or impervious (non-porous) surfaces like roof tops and parking lots. Many contaminants can be found in stormwater including sediment, metals, oils, nutrients, bacteria and viruses. These contaminants are easily dislodged and may be carried by stormwater into sewers, streams, and eventually reservoirs. Studies have shown that under certain circumstances, runoff generated during the first hour of moderate-to-high intensity storm events may contain greater pollutant concentration than raw sewage. It is this “first-flush” of pollutants that many stormwater management programs are designed to control during watershed construction activities.

For new construction projects, the New York City Watershed Regulations require stringent stormwater control measures that go beyond federal or State requirements. Typical stormwater control projects include improved collection and conveyance systems that deliver stormwater to a point of treatment, or primary screening to remove trash and large solids before entering a sedimentation basin. Many of these projects require DEP approval of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan or Individual Residential Stormwater Plan.

To help watershed residents comply with City-mandated regulations for stormwater management—including the development of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans or Individual Residential Stormwater Plans—DEP offers an array of funding assistance. In the Catskill/Delaware Watershed (West of Hudson), DEP pays 100% of the eligible compliance costs for low-income housing projects and 50% of the eligible compliance costs for single-family houses and small businesses. In the Croton Watershed (East of Hudson), DEP pays 50% of the eligible compliance costs for new single-family houses.

DEP also funds the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) to administer and implement the Future Stormwater Controls Program and Stormwater Retrofit Program for stormwater projects in the Catskill/Delaware (West of Hudson) Watershed. Both of these programs provide funding assistance to watershed property owners for certain eligible costs associated with designing, constructing, and maintaining stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs).

For more information about stormwater reimbursement programs managed by DEP, please contact DEP staff in the Division of Regulatory Review and Engineering at 914-773-4441.

For additional information regarding CWC program rules, project eligibility, and application forms, please contact the CWC at 845-586-1400 or visit www.cwconline.org.