Urban Waters and Ports html

Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice Conference: 

Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice Conference Presented by: State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127 October 27, 2007 Workshop Session II: Introduction to Urban River and Port Issues

Contributing to Urban River Pollution: 

Contributing to Urban River Pollution Point Sources Combined Sewer Overflows Nonpoint Sources

Urban Rivers: 

Urban Rivers Stormwater is also known as Non-Point Source (NPS) pollution it does not come from a specific source point such as a pipe discharging waste by-products to a river NPS is generated from all over the landscape Stormwater runoff is the number one pollution facing communities today.

The Watershed Approach: 

The Watershed Approach In order to change traditional land use development patterns, policies and practices in support of sustainable development, local leadership and communities must work together. The top-down regulatory approach is not effective for controlling nonpoint source pollution.

What’s in Stormwater Runoff?: 

What’s in Stormwater Runoff? particles from vehicular wear such as tires and brake linings, and organic matter) oil, grease and leaking automotive fluids and exhaust residues on roads

What’s in Stormwater Runoff?: 

What’s in Stormwater Runoff? road sand and grit nutrients and pesticides from lawn care products pet wastes trash and litter

Effects of Stormwater Runoff: 

Effects of Stormwater Runoff High Bacteria No Swimming! Poor water quality for recreational use High levels of sediment and indicator bacteria are associated with urban runoff and land development.

Effects of Stormwater Runoff: 

Effects of Stormwater Runoff Degraded aquatic habitat does not support pollution-intolerant species adversely effects stream channel character

Effects of Stormwater Runoff: 

Effects of Stormwater Runoff Potential for increased flooding Flooding is worsened by urban development due to increased imperviousness.

Slide10: 

Waste water assimilation and effluent dilution Aquatic habitat Recreational Uses Power Production Cooling/Industrial Uses Water Supply Irrigation/Agriculture Demands on Water Resources

Why stormwater matters: hydrology: 

Why stormwater matters: hydrology Source: CT NEMO Program, UConn

Impervious Surfaces: 

Impervious Surfaces Materials like cement, asphalt, roofing, and compacted soil that prevent percolation of runoff into the ground.

Imperviousness Varies by Use: 

Imperviousness Varies by Use

The Impervious Surface Budget: 

Transportation (Parking Lots, Roads, Driveways, Sidewalks) Derived from CLEAR Connecticut’s Changing Landscape project data Structures (Offices, Stores, Houses, Patios) The Impervious Surface Budget Connecticut’s Changing Landscape study, CLEAR, 2002 Urban Rural

Land Use Threats: 

Land Use Threats

Slide16: 

10% 40% 25% Good Fair Poor Watershed Impervious Cover Stream Quality 60% 100% Sensitive Impacted Non-Supporting Impervious Cover Model Urban Drainage

Slide17: 

Impervious Cover Model Verification Grey is > 12% IC

CT’s 5 Major Watersheds: 

CT’s 5 Major Watersheds

Local Tools: 

Local Tools

Site Planning and Design Concepts: 

Site Planning and Design Concepts Design Developments to Fit the Natural Terrain Limit Land Disturbance Provide Setbacks and Vegetated Buffers Reduce or Disconnect Impervious Areas Preserve and Utilize Natural Drainage Systems Maintain Pre-Development Vegetation

Key Issues:: 

Key Issues: nps pollution from urban and agricultural runoff

Key Issues:: 

Key Issues: soil erosion and sedimentation from construction sites

Flexible Land Use Regulations: 

Flexible Land Use Regulations reduce imperviousness, i.e. less pavement and smaller parking lots

Flexible Land Use Regulations: 

Flexible Land Use Regulations consider alternative development layout/ design, e.g. cluster housing

Flexible Land Use Regulations: 

Flexible Land Use Regulations make allowances for narrower, curbless roads with vegetated drainage swales

Model Ordinances: 

Model Ordinances deter feeding of waterfowl pick-up pet wastes

Watershed Management Resources: 

Watershed Management Resources financial assistance is also available from a variety of state and federal programs (such as CWA Section 319 NPS Program)

Current Watershed Efforts: 

Current Watershed Efforts Significant watershed efforts underway

Municipal Plans of Conservation & Development: 

Municipal Plans of Conservation & Development identify natural, cultural or historic resources in need of protection

Municipal Plans of Conservation & Development: 

Municipal Plans of Conservation & Development develop a plan for future land acquisition

Municipal Plans of Conservation & Development: 

Municipal Plans of Conservation & Development balance conservation and growth

Slide32: 

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems

Slide33: 

state universities, Army, USCG, Navy

Stormwater Phase II General Permit: 

Stormwater Phase II General Permit Public Participation/Involvement

Stormwater Phase II General Permit: 

Stormwater Phase II General Permit Public Education and Outreach

Stormwater Phase II General Permit: 

Stormwater Phase II General Permit Construction Site Runoff Control

Stormwater Phase II General Permit: 

Stormwater Phase II General Permit Post-Construction Runoff Control

Stormwater Phase II General Permit: 

Stormwater Phase II General Permit Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

How Does Too Much Clean Water Get In?: 

How Does Too Much Clean Water Get In? Footing Drains SUMP PUMP Sump Pumps Yard Drains

Stormwater Phase II General Permit: 

Stormwater Phase II General Permit Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

Other DEP Stormwater Permits: 

Other DEP Stormwater Permits Industrial Facilities require Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and must conduct monitoring for aquatic toxicity Commercial Operations (over 5 acres) require Stormwater Management Plan Construction Activities (over 5 acres*) require Stormwater Pollution Control Plan

…but these sewers also handle storm-water which causes overflows during rain events.: 

…but these sewers also handle storm-water which causes overflows during rain events. Dry Weather Conditions Wet Weather Conditions “Single Pipe” Sewers deliver all Dry Weather flows to WWTP… What Are CSO’s?

MDC’s Clean Water Project: 

MDC’s Clean Water Project CTDEP Order to control 1 billion+ gallons annual Combined Sewage Overflows Federal Consent Decree to eliminate Sanitary Sewer Overflows in Metropolitan District towns CTDEP Permit to reduce nitrogen in wastewater Satisfy Public Concerns Eliminate Basement Backups Street Flooding of Sewage To protect waterbody uses, including Wethersfield Cove Courtesy of Bob Weimar, MDC

Slide45: 

Flooding and Basement Backup Areas SSO’s CSO’s Key Sewer Overflows Occur Throughout Existing System Courtesy of Bob Weimar, MDC

1840-1961 Household Sewer Design Directs Stormwater To Existing Sewers: 

1840-1961 Household Sewer Design Directs Stormwater To Existing Sewers To Sewer Basement Sump From Underdrain From Roof Gutters Basement Floor Sanitary Wastes From Sump Pump Household Plumbing Results In All Water Directed To Sewer Courtesy of Bob Weimar, MDC

Preferred Solution: Modern Separation Of Sewage and Stormwater: 

Preferred Solution: Modern Separation Of Sewage and Stormwater To Drain Basement Sump From Underdrain From Roof Gutters Basement Floor Sanitary Wastes From Sump Pump To Gardens, Lawns, Drains To Sewer Courtesy of Bob Weimar, MDC

New Haven’s CSOs: 

New Haven’s CSOs New Haven’s Long-Term Combined Sewer Overflow Control Plan (LTCP) has been approved by DEP and is currently being implemented. The City is divided into drainage basins which will have Infiltration & Inflow removed, and a storage tank installed to contain CSO flows. Phase II of the LTCP (approximately 15 years to complete) proposes to eliminate all remaining CSOs by storing collected runoff and then treating it at the WPCF.

CT’s Ports: 

CT’s Ports 87% of the State’s cargo is handled by three deep water ports – Bridgeport, New Haven and New London Equivalent to 950,000 truck trips annually

CT’s Ports: 

CT’s Ports Additionally, cargo and ferry services transport over 2 million passengers and nearly 82,000 vehicles annually

Benefits of Ports: 

Benefits of Ports Reduces air emissions from truck traffic, thereby improving air quality Provides jobs and improves economy Promotes public access and waterborne commerce, such as boating and fishing Better environmental control of pollution spills

Coastal Concerns: 

Coastal Concerns coastal areas - nps pollution from stormwater runoff, marinas, etc. excess nitrogen to Long Island Sound

Coastal Concerns: 

Coastal Concerns Dredging and disposal of river/harbor sediments Possible contaminated sediments

Coastal Concerns: 

Coastal Concerns Dredging of navigable waterways is necessary to ensure safe passage and maintain accessibility Dredge sediments must be tested to determine proper disposal – either open sea or upland

Coastal Access: 

Coastal Access DEP’s Office of Long Island Sound Programs (OLISP) provides recommendations to local P&Z Commissions on Coastal Zone activities (upon request) to ensure consistency OLISP directly regulates activities within tidal wetlands and navigable waters for consistency with Coastal Mgmt. Development of waterfront properties are evaluated to ensure that they satisfy “water-dependent uses” and to provide public access in opposition to privatization of Connecticut’s coastline.

Closing: 

Closing We encourage all stakeholders to work cooperatively and collaboratively towards a solution that addresses the resource as a whole, not just the portion that lies within the town’s boundaries. Watershed management ensures greater success and makes adoption of best management practices, policies and practices easier, less expensive, and more effective.

Slide57: 

Source to Sea Clean-Up Annual Event sponsored by the CT River Watershed Council Clean-Up Your Act sponsored by Save the Sound

For More Information: 

For More Information Sally Snyder, DEP Watershed Coordinator sally.snyder@po.state.ct.us (860) 424-3869