Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

In response to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulatory requirements, Bristol updated the City’s Stormwater Management Plan in 2017.  It may be viewed at http://ct-bristol2.civicplus.com/DocumentCMS4 photoenter/View/12592/City-of-Bristol-SMP-GMS000042-3-27-2017?bidId=

This plan is a required component of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater for Small Municipal Storm Sewer Systems, more commonly known as the "MS4" permit. The goal of the MS4 permit program is to improve overall water quality by reducing the amount and potential for pollutants to enter our surface water system. The Stormwater Management Plan identifies measurable goals in each of the following six control measures: Public Education and Outreach; Public Participation and Involvement; Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination; Construction Site Runoff Control; Post-Construction Runoff Control; and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping. The overall purpose of the program is to protect the quality of our natural resources by reducing the discharge of pollutants to wetlands and watercourses.

Annually, in accordance with the MS4 permit, a report on the progress of the program is prepared and made available for public review and comment by February 15 (prior to the April 1 submission to CT DEEP).  Public comments on the Annual Report may be made to the City of Bristol. The report is available on the City’s website for public inspection and copying, consistent with the federal and state Freedom of Information Acts and at least one other location (City Hall Public Works Division Office, 111 North Main St., Bristol, CT  06010).  

Public Notice City of Bristol MS4 Annual Report Availability 2023

The 2022 annual report may be viewed at these links:

2022 Annual Report - No Appendices

Appendix A - 2022 SSOs, Street Sweeping and Catch Basin Cleaning Records

Appendix B - IDDE Investigations/IWEO Reports

Appendix C - Directly Connected Impervious Area (DCIA) Calculations, Tracking Worksheet, and Basin Maps

Appendix D - Construction GP Notification and Inspection Template

Appendix E - Outfall Sampling

Appendix F -  Outreach, Training, and BOE Pesticide Policy

If you have any comments regarding the Stormwater Management Plan or annual report, please contact our Environmental Engineer at 860-584-6125.

Help keep our water clean.  Here are things you can do to help:

  • If you see illegal dumping into storm drains, please call (860) 584-6125
  • Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves and debris out of street gutters and storm drains—these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers and wetlands.
  • Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions.
  • Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints and other household chemicals properly—not in storm sewers or drains. 
  • Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.
  • Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
  • Have your septic system inspected and pumped, at a minimum every three to five years, so that it operates properly.
  • Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and coastal waters.
  • Create and plant a rain garden, bioswale or just plant pollinators at drainage borders to help filter and remove pollutants 
  • Learn more about pollution prevention and natural resource protections.  Here are some resources that may help:

https://nemo.uconn.edu/ms4/implement/public-education.htm

https://www.riversmartct.org/

https://www.epa.gov/nps/basic-information-about-nonpoint-source-nps-pollution

https://www.facebook.com/PequabuckRiver/

https://frwa.org/

https://www.prwa.com/sites/default/files/editor-images/admin/how_to_build_a_rain_barrel.pdf

MS4 Presentation July 2020: http://ct-bristol2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/27349/City-of-Bristol-MS4-Meeting-Presentation-PW-Board-7-16-2020?bidId=

Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group 

 

View the Pequabuck River Watershed Based Plan here:

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Water/Watershed-Management/Watershed-Management-Plans-and-Documents#pequabuck

View Connecticut Water Quality Standards and Classifications here:

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Water/Water-Quality/Water-Quality-Standards-and-Classification