Why Manage Storm Water?
Storm water discharges directly into our open waters or to our groundwater system. Unlike water which is used in many of our homes, stormwater is not collected in a sewer system and passed through a water treatment plant before being discharged. Instead, it is collected in almost 1000 groundwater recharge basins or directed to the south shore bays or Long Island Sound through 3720 storm water outfalls or almost 60 miles of open stream corridors. This means that contaminants that are picked up by storm water after it falls on our County’s roads, parks, homes, and parking lots flow directly into the groundwater system which we use for our drinking water, or into the sensitive open waters surrounding our island. These pollutants include nutrients, silt/sediment, pathogens, oil/grease, metals, debris, and litter. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Nassau County are working together to reduce six pollutants of concern: Pathogens Phosphorus PCB’s Silt and Sedimen
