Each MS4 community must develop a Stormwater Management Plan that will guide its activities under the General Permit. There are 6 Minimum Control Measures that form the basis of what communities must do to manage stormwater and its impacts.

1. Public Education and Outreach

Each MS4 community must identify ways to educate the public about stormwater and its impacts on water quality, as well as share information on how to prevent pollutants like nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria from getting into stormwater runoff.

2. Public Involvement and Participation

Ensure the community has the opportunity to engage and participate in stormwater management planning and implementation.

3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Efforts must be made to identify and eliminate non-stormwater discharges to the storm sewer system. Illicit discharges include nearly anything that isn't stormwater such as illegal dumping in storm drains, animal wastes, fertilizers, industrial and commercial waste, sewage, leaves, etc.

4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

MS4 communities must put safeguards in place to prevent runoff of sediment and other materials from construction sites.

5. Post Construction Stormwater Management

This measure focuses on mitigating stormwater impacts from new and re-development by requiring practices that treat, store, and infiltrate stormwater onsite.

6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

The section covers best management practices for municipal operations (municipal land, facility, and equipment maintenance; salt/sand storage; employee training; etc.) and other activities aimed at preventing pollutants from entering the stormwater drainage system.

The Western Region Council of Governments (WESTCOG) worked with NEMO to develop a Stormwater Management Plan Template for its member towns. NEMO has modified that slightly to work for any municipality in Connecticut. The resulting template provides a basic plan that each town can customize to its needs and requirements without a great deal of effort. Note: The plan still needs to be customized to your town and will still need to be approved by a certified PE. See instructions document (2nd tab) below for more information.

NOTE: The original version of this template was revised slightly on March 9, 2017. Basically, sections on monitoring and amendments were added. To view a version of the template with the changes highlighted click here.

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For the first time state and federal institutions that operate a storm sewer system in CT must also file and implement a SWM Plan. NEMO worked with the UConn Office of Environmental Policy (OEP)to develop a plan for the Storrs Campus and will also make it available here as an example for other institutions to follow. Download Word (.docx) version here (0.5 MB).