Stormwater

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water resulting from precipitation (including rain and snow) that runs off the land's surface, infiltrates to the subsurface, or is conveyed by separate storm sewers, drainage facilities or snow removal equipment. Stormwater runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes and coastal waters.


Watercycle

Why is it important?

When stormwater is not managed (both during and after development), the amount of precipitation that flows off the land's surface as stormwater is greater than conditions prior to development. More often than not, this creates water quality and quantity (flooding) problems downstream.


Pre-development

hydrocycle undeveloped-02

Post-Development

hydrocycle developed-01

Why and How is it regulated?

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 was the first major U.S. Law to address water pollution. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in 1970. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. The law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA).

The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters unless a permit is obtained. EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls discharges and contains the regulations that authorize individual states to implement their own discharge program.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Division of Water Quality, Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control, regulates and permits discharges from NJ Municipalities through its Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program.

Stormwater that discharges from Rockaway Township is permitted under NJPDES Authorization No. NJG01501246 (NJDEP Category R9 - Tier A Municipal Stormwater General Permit), issued under the authority of Stormwater NJPDeS Master General Permit No. NJ0141852.

Rockaway Township Stormwater Outfall Map

Below are some permit requirements for both residents and business owners:

Stormwater Permit Requirements