When rain falls on hard surfaces like rooftops, driveways, parking lots and roadways it runs over those areas and in urbanized areas often off into a storm drain. This is great for preventing flooding, but has a hidden impact on water quality. When rain runs off/over hard surfaces it picks up various pollutants along the way (excess fertilizer, oil, brake dust, sand, salt, etc.) and carries them with it into our storm drains which empty directly into your local stream, pond, river or the ocean. This results in green algal blooms, fish kills, closed swimming and fishing areas, and other impairments to our water ways.
This diffuse or "nonpoint source" pollution is the next big challenge in cleaning our water bodies. Under the federal Clean Water Act, states establish a program (the MS4 General Permit) that regulates how municipalities (and institutions) manage their stormwater to help reduce the number of pollutants being carried into our water bodies. (Provided by the UCONN CENTER FOR LAND USE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH & CT NEMO)
In accordance with the requirements of the CT DEEP General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems, residents of the Town of Bolton are hereby informed that a draft of the 2020 MS4 Annual Report, which summarizes municipal stormwater compliance activities conducted within the Town of Bolton during calendar year 2020, will be posted on the town website on or before February 15, 2021 for a forty-five day public review and comment period prior to the draft being finalized and submitted electronically to the CT DEEP on or before April 01, 2021. Residents are hereby encouraged to review the report and submit written comments between February 15, 2021 and March 31, 2021. All comments should be addressed to Wade Thomas, Town MS4 Consultant at wthomas@nlja.com.
Town of Bolton MS4 General Stormwater Permit 2020 Annual Report
2017 Stormwater Management Plan
See something leaking or running off or someone dumping pollutants in the water? Please report any suspected illicit discharges to the Town Administrative Officer's office at 860-649-8066 x 6111.
See below for how Bolton residents' can help managing pollutants:
Animal Waste
Caring For Your Septic System
Clean Waters
Conserve Land
Integrated Pest Management
Lawn Care
Managing Your Household Chemicals