Stormwater can be defined as surface water run-off that is generated by rain or snowmelt within a watershed area.   In urban areas, rain that falls on the roof of your house, or collects on paved areas like driveways, roads and sidewalks is carried away through a system of drainage inlets and pipes called a storm sewer system. 

Yes, the storm sewer system is separate from the sanitary sewer system. Unlike the sanitary sewer system, the collected stormwater is not treated. In some cases, it may be filtered through a stormwater management pond; in other cases, it flows directly from the neighboring streets into streams, wetlands, rivers, embayment areas, and lakes.

If you live or often spend time near a waterway, you are probably familiar with what happens after a rain event. Polluted run-off emptying into clean water is often discolored from sediment and/or plagued with litter. You may be advised not to swim or fish for a couple of days following a rain event because of the poor water quality.

Common pollutants associated with urban stormwater run-off include pesticides, fertilizers, oils, salt, litter, and sediment. These contaminants are, in many instances, transported directly from the storm sewer system into our waterbodies.  These pollutants can destroy wildlife, cause the destruction of spawning habitats, reduce the aesthetic value of a stream corridor, wetland or pond, and limit recreational uses of our waterways.

If a waterbody exhibits significant signs of pollution, the NYSDEC may list it as “impaired“, which means it has identified the pollutant(s) of concern and the suspected source. Pollutants of concern can vary from elevated nutrient loading (phosphorus and nitrogen), pathogens, silt/sediment, or chemical toxicity with pollutant sources ranging from urban stormwater run-off, excessive stream bank erosion, agriculture activities, or poorly functioning wastewater treatment systems (septic systems or cross-connected sanitary sewer systems).

In the Village of Pittsford, stormwater is managed through comprehensive land use planning, zoning laws, building codes, and a local erosion and sediment control, construction/post construction stormwater pollution prevention and illicit discharge law.  Stormwater is also regulated at the State and Federal government level as well.  

Since significant changes were made to the Federal Clean Water Act in 1972 and 1978, the quality of the nation’s water resources has greatly improved.  Unfortunately, about 40% of the nation’s streams, rivers, wetlands, lakes, ponds, and embayment areas still receive contaminated stormwater runoff from rural and urban areas.  To ensure that continued progress is made by the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) established a new set of stormwater regulations in 2003 to help control stormwater run-off. These regulations placed strict controls on earth disturbing activities and mandated that local municipalities implement minimum measures to mitigate the impacts of stormwater run-off on our water resources.

These Stormwater Regulations require the Village of Pittsford to develop a Stormwater Management Program that focuses on ways to improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollutants within the community.  Pittsford’s program has been under development since early 2004 and has implemented many of the recommended pollution prevention measures.  To track Pittsford’s progress and the success with its program, an Annual Report is prepared and submitted to the NYSDEC for review every June.  The Annual Report attempts to outline specific water quality control activities undertaken by the Village during the previous year.

• Remember: “Only rain down the drain”.  The storm sewer system is for rainwater and snow melting only.  Even leaves or grass clippings can diminish the capacity of a storm sewer system
• Never dump or pour any material (either solid or liquid) into the storm sewer system.
• Reduce the amount of and use environmentally friendly pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn.
• Minimize the usage of de-icing materials on driveways and walks.
• Properly dispose of pet waste.
• Compost vegetative material (grass clippings and other yard debris).
• Drain your swimming pool only when a test kit detects no chlorine.
• Wash your vehicle on your lawn instead of on your driveway.

The Village of Pittsford’s Stormwater Management Program Plan is available for review at the Village Hall Building department at 21 North Main Street, Pittsford 14534 and below on this website. Questions and comments regarding the SWMP Plan should be directed to Stormwater Coordinator and Program contact listed above.

The Village of Pittsford, in association with the Monroe County Stormwater Coalition, reports on the success of the Stormwater Program Plan to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. These reports may be found below and include compliance activities and initiatives accomplished during the reporting cycle. The public is encouraged to review these reports and provide comments/feedback to the Stormwater coalition staff or to the Village of Pittsford.

The Village of Pittsford conducts voluntary cleanup days during the year which is noticed on the Village website. For more information regarding the Village’s Stormwater Management Program, including the draft annual report, or becoming a stormwater project volunteer, please contact us or call the Village of Pittsford’s staff at (585) 586-4332