STORMWATER

Stormwater events, resulting in floodwater flows with eroding water velocities, lead to erosion, transport and deposition of sediments. Whether we like it or not; this is the result of inadequate or improper Stormwater management and planning. The EPA recognized that local government needed to be mobilized in order to address these issues and directed the implementation of Phase II Stormwater. If only that included funding…

Phase II Stormwater provides guidance and a set of management tools to the Town Engineer, Public Works and the Land Use Department. The WPCA is concerned with Stormwater that transports pollutants potentially impacting the water quality of surface waters and drinking-water wells. The various Stormwater flow-intercept devices and mitigation structures provides an opportunity to isolate petroleum products, grit and other contaminants before they are flushed into sensitive habitats and receiving waters.

Aerial photos are an excellent source of historical and real-time information. The installation of a shed, clearing of property, wetlands draining, house-building or stone-wall removal are easily identified when comparing aerial photographs. Sediment and suspended material, mostly silt flowing down the Connecticut River, is clearly revealed at altitude. The silt finally deposits in areas of little disturbance and low-flow. Vast quantities of silty material, millions of tons, flow into Long Island Sound and may even reach portions of the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, chemical hitchhikers of every description accompany silt. It may be dissolved in the water or physically attached to the particles. One very disturbing example is the accumulation of tar-balls on the beach. Another concern is the sheer volume of trash deposited on our roadways. Just remember; these are the visible signs. It is very difficult to identify some of the microscopic culprits. An electron microscope is needed to observe the virus responsible for the East coast oyster population crash. Most of the chemical compounds provide clues in the form of habitat modification, loss of species and noxious odors.

Let’s get back to ways of making things better. Stormwater management and engineering allows us to capture, recycle or treat oil, gas, detergents or other products deposited by our cars and trucks. What about the tons of salt used every winter? You probably have an image of a salt shaker in mind. That would be sodium chloride; NaCl. Road salt contains a combination of sand, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, fluoride, nitrates, sulphates and phosphates. Definitely not for the salt shaker! The volume of road sand being spread on our streets is nothing short of amazing. Look into one of our catch basins; they capture a lot of sand! We recycle glass and plastic bottles; once deposited, our road sand is contaminated and must be processed before disposal in a land-fill.

As an update, we have established the required stormwater sampling locations in accordance with Phase II Stormwater. These results will give us a baseline reference and we will watch for trends.

Steve Luckett

WPCA Coordinator