LEARNING & EXPLORING

Taking Care of Our Watershed

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Stormwater runoff can have profound affects on water quality, hydrology, stream channel morphology, floodplain function, habitat quality and ecological function. Approximately one-quarter of Connecticut’s major rivers and streams are impaired, and do not meet Clean Water Act standards due to impacts from stormwater runoff. Fortunately, there are a variety of best management practices that can help communities effectively manage stormwater runoff and minimize these potential adverse affects.

Recommended Management Tools

Apply State-of-the-Art Approaches to Managing Stormwater Runoff

• Require the 2004 CT DEP Stormwater Quality Manual to be used as guidance for the design, implementation and maintenance of all new and existing stormwater systems in each community.
• Complete and implement a Stormwater Management Plan as described in the State’s General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems.
• Adopt guidance from The University of Massachusetts for watercourse crossings (e.g., bridges and culverts), an approach that is used by the New England Region of the Army Corps of Engineers.

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