Theme for 2017: Nonpoint Sources of Pollution

Celebrate Water Week by learning more about nonpoint sources of pollution and how you can help protect, restore and conserve water for the future!

Today’s topic: Achievements Over 30 Years

Did you know?

• Before 1987 and Section 319 was added to the Clean Water Act, only point sources of pollution, such as municipal and commercial wastewater treatment facilities, were covered by the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit program.  Since then, New York has added several general permits to reduce nonpoint sources of pollution from specific categories, such as urban runoff.    
• Industries, municipalities, farms and private landowners have installed hundreds of Best Management Practices around the state resulting in protected streambanks and reduced runoff. For over 20 years, the State’s bond acts and Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has helped to fund these projects through the Water Quality Improvement Projects (WQIP) program, Agricultural Nonpoint Source Program (AgNPS), and other programs.
• In State Fiscal Year 2015/16 alone, over $23 million from the Environmental Protection Fund was dedicated to the WQIP and AgNPS programs. Projects initiated through these programs will result in a reduction of 724,084 pounds of nitrogen, 106,060 pounds of phosphorus, and 18,017 tons of sediment per year!

Test your water knowledge

Learn more

On DEC’s website, you can find information about:

• Nonpoint Source Funding Programs, which lists a variety of federal, state, and local funding programs dedicated to reducing non-agricultural and agricultural sources of nonpoint source pollution.
• Nonpoint Source Program Reporting, including success stories and DEC’s Nonpoint Source Management Program annual reports.
• Water Quality Improvement Projects Program, which has funding available now for Best Management Practices.

Answer: The stormwater general permits are: Construction, Multi-sector, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO).