Information For Homeowners

Stormwater Pollution Prevention

The Water Cycle – What Happens When It Rains?

Water is a circular cycle that starts with Precipitation – Runoff - Infiltration – Evaporation – Condensation – Then it starts all over again.

• USGS Water Cycle

With development comes an increase runoff and decrease water quality.

• Example 1
• Example 2

What is a Stormwater Management Plan?

In 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented the Phase II Stormwater Program as part of the Clean Water Act. This program was created to improve the water quality of our Nation’s rivers, lakes and streams by reducing pollutants that enter our storm sewer systems.

Typical pollutants include grease and oils from our roadways, pesticides and fertilizers from our lawns, and sediment from construction sites. In order to reduce pollutants and improve water quality, municipalities with small municipal separate storm sewer systems are required to prepare a Stormwater Management Plan for their community. A copy of the Town of Weston "Stormwater Management Plan" is available at the Town Hall and the Weston Public Library.

As part of the Weston’s Stormwater Management Plan, the Town is required to increase awareness of stormwater pollutants and help citizens improve water quality.

Where do storm drains go?

All of the storm drains discharge to one of the several water resources within Weston. These structures collect runoff and discharge it to a stream or pond, which ultimately gets to either the Aspetuck River or Saugatuck River.

Everything you put on the roads (oil and grease); on your lawns (pesticides and fertilizers); or discharge to the drainage system (car washing and lawn watering) gets into our lakes and streams.

• Example 3
• Example 4

Preventing pollution of the waters in Weston starts in your home and yard. For more information on how you can help check out the "Clean Waters" resources below.

Starting in Your Home and Yard

• What's the Big Deal About Water Quality
• Managing Your Household Chemicals
• Caring for Your Septic System
• Integrated Pest Management
• Conservation Landscaping for Water Quality
• Animal Waste and Water Quality
• Going Native – Rethinking Plant Selection for the Homeowner
• Lawn Care – The Environmentally Friendly Way
• The Four Seasons of Water Quality
  
• Conserving Water at Home
• Environmentally Responsible Boating

Additional Information

• Connecticut DEP Website
• EPA Website

Reports

 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 Weston are hereby informed that a draft of the 2022 MS4 Annual Report, which summarizes municipal stormwater compliance activities conducted within the Town of Weston during calendar year 2022, will be posted on the town website on or before February 15, 2023 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, 2023. Residents are hereby encouraged to review the report and submit written comments between February 15, 2023 and March 31, 2023. All comments should be addressed to Wade Thomas, Town MS4 Consultant at wthomas@nlja.com.

• Post Construction Stormwater Management Facility Operation & Maintenance Plan Manual
• Weston Stormwater Management Plan Effective 07-01-2017

 MS4 Public Education Resources

• Managing Your Household Chemicals
• Caring for Your Septic System
• Integrated Pest Management & Biological Controls for the Homeowner
• Conservation Landscaping for Water Quality
• Animal Waste and Water Quality
• Lawn Care the Environmentally Friendly Way
• Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff
• Water Efficient Landscaping
• UConn Rain Garden Brochure