Stormwater Management

The Department of Public Works implements measures to reduce and improve water quality by implementing stormwater management throughout the Town of Plainville. Stormwater is rainwater or melted snow that runs off streets, lawns, and other sites. When stormwater is absorbed into the soil, it is filtered and ultimately replenishes aquifers or flows into streams and rivers.

Impervious surfaces such as pavement and roofs prevent precipitation from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, water runs rapidly into storm drains, sewer systems, and drainage ditches and can cause:

  • Downstream flooding
  • Stream bank erosion
  • Increased turbidity (muddiness created by stirred-up sediment) from erosion
  • Habitat destruction
  • Combined storm and sanitary sewer system overflows
  • Infrastructure damage
  • Contaminated streams and rivers

Town of Plainville Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

The Department of Public Works manages the Town's Municipal Separate Storm System (MS4). This system, also known as the drainage system, includes drainage pipes connecting to catch basins (also called drains) and drainage manholes. The Town is authorized to discharge stormwater through the Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for small MS4s. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the NPDES Phase II permitting program. In order to comply with the program, the Town must follow six minimum control measures, which are implemented through a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs).