Storm Water Management - USA


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Scope of the Problem  


     Older facilities in the greenway corridor like Siena College do not contain adequate storm water management systems, which has a negative effect on the community as a whole. The local towns of Menands, Watervilet, and Cohoes have complained of Siena College producing polluted runoff  which has a negative effect on their quality of water. In addition, the Albany Rural Cemetery has poor water quality due to their use of fertilizers and pesticides to maintain green grasses and continuous landscaping. Eventually the runoff from all areas of the green corridor will drain to the Hudson River and affect the ecosystems within the river. A system needs to be put in place that manages the storm water runoff in an effective way so that it does not damage our environment or our drinking supply. The storm water runoff should be collected in a efficient manner so that it can be used later for other purposes that will benefit both the residents and the environment. 

 

Past Policy  


 Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended — This Law provides the statutory basis for the NPDES permit program and the basic structure for regulating the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States. It establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. 

 

Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended — This is the main federal law that ensures the quality of American’s drinking water.  Under this act, the EPA can set standards for drinking water quality and oversee the state, local, and water suppliers who implement such standards.  The EPA can set national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water.  The US EPA, states, and water systems then work together to make sure these standards are met and kept.

  

Current Policy  


 

     The US Environmental Protection Agency and NYSDEC have three State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) general permits required for activities associated storm water discharges that apply to not only New York State, but to specific areas such as the Albany Area:

  

Key Organizations/Individuals   


 

Biblography