Stormwater Management
Stormwater runs off into the Chemung River and its creeks
Stormwater Annual Report
This document is prepared by the City of Elmira, in conjunction with the Chemung County Stormwater Coalition, to meet the requirements of the federal Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) Permit reporting requirements. The report is submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for their approval. Inside you will find documentation of City and Coalition efforts to improve and monitor stormwater quality in the area.
Download the 2008/2009 Stormwater Report
Download the 2009/2010 Stormwater Report
Download the 2010/2011 Stormwater Report
View the 2011/2012 Stormwater Report
View 2011/12 Municipal Compliance Certification
2013 2014 Stormwater annual report.pdf
Did you know that you live in a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains rain and snowmelt to a body such as the Chemung River, Newtown Creek, Hoffman Brook, Eldridge Lake, Brick Pond, and Miller’s Pond. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state, and national boundaries. No matter where you are, you're in a watershed!
In our community, stormwater runoff is the most important source of pollution to our water resources. When it rains, stormwater flows over driveways, lawns, sidewalks, roads, and parking lots on its way to the nearest entrance into the storm sewer system. Along the way, stormwater picks up soil, chemicals, and other pollutants. In most cases, the stormwater system discharges this polluted runoff to the nearest body of water with little or no treatment.
Simple steps to clean water
- Never dump anything down the storm drain!
- Recycle motor oil and other automotive fluids at service stations.
- Properly dispose of household hazardous wastes (pesticides, fertilizers, paints, etc.) at the Chemung County Solid Waste Management District, 1690 Lake Street, (607) 737-2980.
- Clean up pet waste and dispose of it in the toilet or trash.
- Use lawn fertilizers and pesticides only when necessary. Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at (607) 734-4453 or visit their website regarding soil tests and lawn care information.
Elmira has been designated as a Phase II “MS4”, meaning that it is a small to medium size urbanized area which owns and maintains a “Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System.” MS4’s are required to meet six minimum measures to comply with the Clean Water Act (EPA regulations and federal law):
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Illicit Discharge, Detection, and Elimination
- Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
- Post Construction Stormwater Management
- Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping
View Separate Stormwater System Map for City of Elmira MS4
- USEPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse - This site provides detailed information regarding permitted wastewater discharges, including municipal wastewater treatment plants.
- Chesapeake Bay Program
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- National Weather Service at Binghamton
- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Home Page
- Susquehanna River Basin Commission GIS Program
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation - Region 8 Weekly Hunting & Fishing Report
- Office of Water
- Office of Wastewater Management
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Corps of Engineers - Flood reservoir data (including that of the Tioga-Hammond dams and the Cowanesgue Dam), water quality data, and precipitation data
- USGS - Real-time water data, Water Watch, Floods & High Water Flows, Drought Watch, Groundwater-Climate Response Network
- Polluted Runoff
- Polluted Runoff for Kids
- Nonpoint Source Pointers (Fact Sheets)
- Watershed Management Program
The Chemung County Stormwater Coalition is made up of member municipalities in the Elmira urbanized area. The Coalition meets at 10:00am on the 3rd Wednesday of each good-weather month at the County Fairgrounds Conservation Cabin. In winter, the Coalition meets at the Big Flats Community Center.
City of Elmira Stormwater Contact:
Craig Southard, Senior Engineer City of Elmira DPW
840 Linden Place
Elmira, NY 14901
(607) 737-5750