Public Works Programs & Services

Stormwater Management

SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)

Beginning in March 2003, all owner/operators of a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) located in a designated urbanized area were required to establish a program to manage stormwater and gain coverage under a New York State general permit [link to come when new permit is passed next month] regulating the discharge of stormwater into waterways. Because the County has numerous stormwater collection systems draining our roadways and County-owned facilities within the regulated area, we were required to submit a Notice of Intent [PDF*] outlining a stormwater management plan to gain coverage under this permit.

Annual Report

As part of the County's permit requirements, an annual report  must be submitted to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation documenting progress made toward implementing stormwater management goals and compliance with the County's permit.  Questions or comments related to the annual report or the County's stormwater management program may be directed to Margaret DellaRocco at (518) 765-2786.

County Law Prohibits the Discharge of Pollutants into the Storm Sewer System

As required under the County's General Permit, an illicit discharge detection and elimination law [PDF*] was passed in 2007 prohibiting the illegal discharge of pollutants into the County's stormwater conveyance system. This system, used for collecting or conveying stormwater,  includes roads, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, and storm drains owned or operated by the County of Albany (see map) [PDF*].

The purpose of this law is to promote public awareness of stormwater pollution issues and prevent the improper discharge of trash, yard waste, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater, grease, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products, hazardous waste, sediment and other pollutants into the County-owned storm sewer system. The County Stormwater Management Officer, Michael Franchini, manages the County stormwater system and administers and enforces this law.

Anyone wishing to report illegal dumping along county roads or an unauthorized connection to the storm sewer system should call the 24-hour emergency telephone number: (518) 765-2055.