The University of New Hampshire (UNH) has developed a Storm Water Management Plan and a Storm Water Management Pamphlet to help prevent potential contamination of storm water runoff. (Storm water runoff is defined as rain, snow melt, or other sources of precipitation that does not infiltrate into the soil and runs off the land. Storm water management practices are used to delay, capture, store, treat, or infiltrate storm water runoff.)
The 2017 New Hampshire Small MS4 General Permit was issued on January 18, 2017. The permit can be viewed at https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/new-hampshire-small-ms4-general-permit
The UNH Storm Water Management Program comprises six elements called Minimum Control Measures or MCMs when implemented in concert over the next five years, are expected to result in significant reductions of non-point pollutants discharged into Great Bay. These six elements include:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation / Involvement
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
UNH and the New Hampshire Seacoast Storm Water Coalition have written Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Plan
Storm water runoff from lands modified by human activities can harm surface water and, in turn, change natural hydrologic patterns, accelerate natural stream flows, destroy aquatic habitat, and elevate pollutant concentrations. Such runoff may contain high levels of contaminants, such as sediment, suspended solids, nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), heavy metals, pathogens, toxins, oxygen-demanding substances (organic material), and floating material.
UNH activities with the potential to impact the storm water system include:
- General maintenance of buildings, grounds, and roads;
- Seasonal application of sand, salt, and de-icer to roads, parking lots, and sidewalks;
- Seasonal application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to landscaped areas;
- Small construction projects; and,
- Spills and leaks.
UNH Publications:
- UNH Storm Water Management Plan
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Plan (IDDE)
- Rake It or Leave It
- Pet Waste
- Fertilizer
- UNH Salt Reduction Plan
- Site Erosion Control Inspection (SEC) Form
- BMP Inspection and Maintenance Checklist
- UNH Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
OTHER LINKS/RESOURCES:
