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Storm Water and MS4 Program
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater runoff is part of the natural hydrologic process and occurs when rainwater that does not infiltrate into the ground flows into water bodies such as creeks, lakes, streams, or rivers. In suburban areas, the stormwater runoff often has the benefit of passing through naturally vegetated areas, which slows down the velocity of the water and ultimately filters it for pollutants and sediments. In urban settings, however, natural vegetation and topography have frequently been altered to prevent storm water from naturally soaking into the ground and so it is most often carried by storm drains.
When the drainage pattern of a watershed is altered with the addition of impervious surfaces such as driveways, parking lots, and buildings, flows increase in concentration and velocity and pick up sediments and pollutants from land surfaces at an increased rate. Stormwater that flows through urbanized areas to receiving waters is called "urban stormwater runoff" or “urban runoff.”
The City of New Haven has developed a stormwater program that manages the pollutants and impacts from urban stormwater runoff. The program includes education, storm water quality and quantity measures, and a stormwater utility.
Pollutants
Urban runoff is known to carry a wide range of pollutants including:
• Heavy metals
• Nutrients
• Pathogens
• Petroleum hydrocarbons
• Sediments
• Synthetic organics such as pesticides
• Trash and debris
Once pollution reaches water bodies, it can harm aquatic life, damage ecosystems, and even end up in water used for drinking or recreation. Protecting our water bodies from all sources of contamination can be accomplished through the cooperation of citizens, government, and businesses.
Community Impacts
Pollutants in urban runoff could negatively impact the vitality of our municipality on many levels. Pollutants in urban runoff can:
• Alter the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water bodies to the detriment of aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
• Make rivers and streams unsightly or unsafe for human contact.
• Negatively impact water recreation, fishing, tourism, and aquatic habitat.
In some cases, pollutants of concern may not even be visible to the naked eye.
MS4 Program
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) designated the City of New Haven as a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The city is required to comply with a state-issued storm water permit (INR040063). New Haven is implementing a program to prevent storm water pollution and improve the water quality of local water bodies.
The Storm Water Quality Management Plan describes every aspect of New Haven’s MS4 program and how it is implemented. Annual Reporting and tracking of certain measures and goals are required to be submitted to IDEM.
• Storm Water Quality Management Plan
As part of the MS4 Program, New Haven adopted ordinances to protect stormwater. Only rainwater should enter storm drains or surface waters. The ordinances prohibit illicit connections and discharges to the storm sewer and illegal dumping. The ordinance also regulates stormwater detention, water quality, and construction and post-construction practices.
Storm Water Awareness
New Haven is promoting pollution prevention activities and education as part of this program. View the materials below or the additional printed ones by the Utility Office:
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention: Protecting Your Waterways
- Pet Waste and Water Quality
- Spotting Illicit Discharges: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Tip Card
- Household Hazardous Waste: A Reference Guide for Residents
- Proper Disposal of Pet Waste: A Reference Guide for Pet Owners
- Stabilization of Pond Shorelines
- What You Should Know About Fertilizer: A Reference Guide for Residents
- Green Landscaping: Lawn Care Practices to Protect Water Quality
- Storm water pollution
- Please, don’t feed the storm drain
- Reducing I & I crucial for New Haven’s success
- Combined sewer overflow
- Upper Maumee watershed partnership
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination
Check out even more information on water quality provided by the Allen County Partnership for Water Quality.
- Blue is the New Green - YouTube. INAFSM. March 2015. Duration: 10:11. Video for the public on the right things to help protect our environment.
- Water Quality Education by The Clean Water Education Partnership - YouTube. Town of Cary, North Carolina. January 2018. Duration: 2:42. Video on what you can do to maintain water quality.
- Freddy the Fish Teaches About Stormwater - YouTube. North Central Texas Council of Governments – Environment and Development. December 2014. Duration: 4:28. Freddy the Fish teaches kids about what happens to rain after it hits the ground, where storm drains lead to, and what we can do to help prevent water pollution.
- Explaining Stormwater Runoff - YouTube. The Watershed Institute. Original video produced by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council for the City of Grand Rapids, MI. June 2018. Duration: 1:35.
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention: Protecting Your Waterways
- Pet Waste & Water Quality
- Spotting Illicit Discharges
What is an Illicit Discharge?
An illicit discharge is any discharge to an MS4 conveyance that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except naturally introduced floatables, such as leaves or tree limbs. The storm water drainage system includes streets, ditches, catch basins, yard inlets, and streams.
Examples of Illicit Discharge include:
• Pouring paint or other chemicals into or near the storm drainage system.
• Changing oil or antifreeze over or near a storm structure and allowing the liquid to flow into the storm drainage system.
• Washing vehicles where the runoff could drain into the storm drainage system.
• Washing dumpster pads and allowing the runoff to drain into the storm drainage system.
• Dumping grass clippings into a stormwater basin or inlet or into the street.
Illicit discharges cause water pollution by sending pollutants directly into creeks, streams, ponds, and lakes. Illicit discharges and connections are regulated through City Code.
Citizen Involvement
Citizens can help by properly disposing of all automotive fluids and household wastes through the Allen County Department of Environmental Management. Never dump any of these materials into any ditches or storm sewers! Residents of New Haven have many options for contacting the City to report stormwater issues such as illicit discharges, infrastructure damage, flooding, illegal dumping of chemicals, heavy erosion from constructions sites or other community concerns.
• Use the online form to contact the Public Works Department.
• Call the Public Works Department at 260-748-7056.
• Use the Citizen Request Tracker.
• Download the SeeClickFix app on Android and iPhone. Once the application is downloaded, search for New Haven, Indiana to begin reporting any issue.
Be sure you know what illicit discharges are so you can help prevent water pollution and keep our streams clean! See more information and examples: Spotting Illicit Discharges or watch this short video.
- Clean up your property. Properly dispose of outdated or unused household chemicals stored in your basement, garage, or barn by taking them to the Allen County Department of Environmental Management Hazardous Household Waste Facility. Do not store these materials outdoors.
- Recycle used oil, automotive fluids, batteries, and other products. Do not dispose of hazardous products in storm drains, alleys, or the ground. This pollutes the water supply.
- Reduce the number of fertilizers, pesticides, or other hazardous chemicals that you use. Buy only what you need so that you do not have to dispose of leftovers. Read all the labels and follow directions.
- Sweep up debris, rather than hosing down areas.
- Clean up after your pet and dispose of pet waste in a trash container or toilet. When left outdoors, pet waste contributes bacteria and nutrients to storm water. Learn why this is important.
- Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on an unpaved surface to reduce the amount of dirty, soapy water entering storm drains and waterways.
- Cover piles of soil and mulch being used for landscaping projects.
- Prevent debris from entering nearby storm drains when conducting outdoor home improvement or landscaping projects.
- If you have a septic system, have it serviced regularly. Make sure it is not connected to the storm sewer or polluting a creek or body of water.
- Drain your swimming pool only when a test kit shows non-detectable levels of chlorine or bromine.
- If you spill chemicals, oil, or fuel, clean it up with absorbent materials (for example kitty litter). Do not let it soak into the ground. Place absorbent in the trash.
- If you live next to a community pond, help maintain it. Learn more from this video: Stormwater Pond Maintenance for Homeowners.
Other Community Sources
Residential sites are not the only sources of stormwater pollution. Commercial and industrial sites can produce litter, debris, sediment, and illicit discharges. Learn more by reviewing the quick stormwater tips for businesses below:
- Auto Shops
- Lawn Care
- Parking Lots
- Restaurants
- Management of Dumpsters and Trash
- Storm Water Management for Businesses: Cover. Clark County, Washington. Duration: 1:01. Video on proper covers for chemicals.
- Storm Water Management for Businesses: Contain. Clark County, Washington. Duration: 1:14. Video on containment for chemicals.
- Storm Water Management for Businesses: Clean. Clark County, Washington. Duration: 1:14. Video on proper disposal of wash water, chemical clean up.
- Storm Water Management for Businesses: Maintain. Clark County, Washington. Duration: 1:06. Video on maintaining storm water systems.
Storm Water Utility Fees
The MS4 Program and storm water management in New Haven is funded through storm water utility fees. Residential properties are charged a uniform user fee, while non-residential sites are based on the amount of impervious area a property has that includes compacted gravel, concrete, asphalt, and rooftops. Current fees can be found in the Stormwater Utility ordinance in the City Code, Chapter 53: Storm Water Management.