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Storm_Water_Management
Stormwater Management
Herndon's MS4 Plan to Reduce Stormwater Pollution
When rain falls on impervious areas such as rooftops, parking lots, roads, and driveways it picks up sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, bacteria, motor oil, and other pollutants generated by various land uses and human activities. When left uncontrolled, this pollution can harm aquatic habitats and make the water unsafe for human contact. Eventually, this pollution reaches the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.
Under the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) permit regulations, the Town is required to control pollution to the maximum extent practical and to develop a pollution prevention plan. This plan is known as a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Program Plan - or MS4 Plan for short. The Town's initial plan was developed in 2003.
New state regulations require the Town to update the MS4 Program Plan. Major changes include: (1) enhanced public education and outreach; (2) increased monitoring of stormwater outfalls to detect and eliminate illegal dumping; and, (3) greater focus on pollution prevention from municipal operations. The plan also contains strategies for reducing pollution from construction activities and for controlling pollution on land after it has been developed.
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is caused by rain or snow melt. Excess stormwater that cannot infiltrate into the soil or be absorbed by vegetation washes pollutants like soil, litter, fertilizers, automotive fluids, detergents, and bacteria into our creeks, rivers, lakes and oceans. In heavy storms, stormwater can cause flooding and drainage problems. Stormwater runoff is a leading source of water pollution.
The Department of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the stormwater drainage system within the Town. The Town's storm drainage systems goes directly into our streams and drains into the Potomac River. The Potomac River is an important drinking water supply, and drains into the Chesapease Bay.
Please see the related links, located on the right side bar of this page, for more information on stormwater management and how you can do your part in protecting our water ways from pollution.
Link to:Northern Virginia Clean Water Partners
If you have any questions concerning stormwater management, please contact the Department of Public Works at (703) 435-6853 or email publicworks@herndon-va.gov
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Visit Us
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Department of
Public Works
777 Lynn Street
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 435-6853
Operations Center
1479 Sterling Road
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 435-6860
Email publicworks@herndon-va.gov
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