Receiving Waters

City of Binghamton MS4 system discharges to:

Pollutants of Concern

Stormwater runoff from impervious and developed surfaces carries large amounts of various pollutants to the surface waters of the United States. Among these pollutants are nutrients, silt and sediment, pathogens, oil/grease, metals, and debris/litter. Phosphorus, nitrogen, and pathogens are of particularly high concern to the water bodies in the Binghamton Urbanized Area.

Nutrients: Phosphorus and Nitrogen

Phosphorus is the primary nutrient of concern locally. High phosphorus levels lead to excess weed and algae growth in lakes and streams. This growth clogs waterways and blocks sunlight. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Most fish and other aquatic life are unable to survive in water containing low dissolved oxygen levels. Sources of nutrients include fertilizer, human and animal waste, and detergents. Leaves, grass clippings, and other plant materials that fall or are deposited on urban land also carry nutrients that are released during decomposition.

Silt and Sediment

Silt and sediment are a result of soil erosion from construction sites, lawns, agriculture, and landscaping activities. Heavy deposits of silt in sensitive areas such as wetlands and streams can damage aquatic habitat and cause turbidity. Sediment also can carry toxic chemicals that deplete oxygen in water bodies and can clog water infrastructure.

Pathogens (bacteria, viruses)

Bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms include infectious agents and disease producing organisms normally associated with human and animal (both pet and wildlife) wastes, leakage from sewers and seepage from septic tanks. These organisms can cause disease in humans and animals when present in drinking water and water bodies. Because pathogens can harm aquatic and human health, their presence can render lakes and streams unsafe for drinking, swimming, fishing, and other forms of water recreation. Biological contaminants originate from organic matter, animal waste and litter. They may enter the stormwater drainage system through illicit discharges and cross-connections or sanitary and combined sewer overflows.

Metals (e.g. arsenic, lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, zinc)

Metals in water can be toxic to aquatic life, humans and animals. Metals generally originate from vehicle exhaust, weathered paint, metal plating, tires, discarded auto parts, and motor oil. Heavy metals bioaccumulate, meaning that they become more concentrated and toxic the higher in the food chain they progress.

Thermal Stress (sunlight)

Direct exposure of urban streams to sunlight (such as in areas where shade is lacking) may elevate stream temperatures. These temperatures can exceed fish tolerance limits, reducing survival and lowering resistance to disease. Thermal energy also originates from street, parking lot and roof surfaces that have been heated by sunlight. This energy is conveyed through the drainage system to streams by surface flow during storm events, resulting in similar stress to aquatic life.

Floatable/Litter

Floating trash in water may be contaminated with toxic chemicals and bacteria, and can cause death to aquatic animals and birds. Aesthetics are also negatively impacted. Floatables are the result of overproducing single use items and an increase in packaging as well as winds and careless handling of materials.

Oxygen Demanding Organics.

Natural or synthetic organic materials (including human and animal waste, decaying plants and animals, discarded litter, and food waste) can enter surface waters either dissolved or suspended in stormwater runoff. Natural decomposition of the material can deplete dissolved oxygen supplies in the waters. When dissolved oxygen is reduced below a critical threshold level, fish and other aquatic organisms can perish.

Chlorides

Large quantities of deicing or anti-skid compounds are applied by municipalities and transportation departments during the winter months; commonly these substances consist of chloride salts (although sand may also be used). These chemicals are washed into storm drains and streams during snowmelt; they are toxic in large quantities and can contaminate drinking water.

Other Toxic Substances

Toxic substances may enter surface waters either dissolved in runoff or attached to sediment or organic materials. The principal concerns in surface water are their entry into the food chain, toxic effect on fish, wildlife and microorganisms, habitat degradation, and potential degradation of public water supplies. Oil and grease in storm drains can be toxic even in small amounts; they can generally be traced to automotive leaks and spills or improper disposal of used oil and automotive products into storm drains. Residential sources of toxic substances include vehicle fluids (oil, gasoline and antifreeze), paint, pesticides, solvents, batteries, hazardous wastes, street litter, soap from car washing, and swimming pool discharges. Activities of commercial businesses may generate soap from equipment washing, waste process water and hazardous liquids that are either directly discharged to the storm sewer system or enter via surface runoff. Toxic substances can also originate from construction sites and may include wash water from concrete mixers, used oil and solvents, and vehicle fuels and pesticides.

Description of Local Laws

The City of Binghamton has the following local laws in effect related to Stormwater Discharges and are on the city website.

Chapter 227, EROSION CONTROL [HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Binghamton as indicated. Amendments noted where applicable.] GENERAL REFERENCES Flood damage prevention—See Ch. 240. Subdivision of land—See Ch. 360. Zoning—See Ch. 410. Part 1, Filling, Grading and Terracing

Chapter 227.A, PROHIBITION OF ILLICIT DISCHARGES, ACTIVITIES AND CONNECTIONS TO SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEMS [HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Binghamton as L.L. No. 07-5 on 7-2-2007] GENERAL REFERENCES Erosion Control—See Ch. 227 § 227-A.1. Purpose/intent. [Amended 3-17-10 by Local Law 1-2010]

Personnel

The Stormwater Program Coordinator is:

Duties and responsibilities to implement components of the stormwater program are not limited to the Stormwater Program Officer, they require the contribution and expertise of many municipal staff across departments.

• The City's Sewer Superintendent will ensure that 100% outfalls are being inspected within 5 years; the inspections are documented and will alert the City's Stormwater Management Officer of any changes.
• The City will provide updated information to the base outfall map whenever existing undocumented outfalls are uncovered, new outfalls are constructed, or new information is obtained relating to changing conditions at existing outfalls. Since outfall mapping is managed by the Southern Tier 8 Regional Board and the Broome County GIS Department, information collected on outfalls will periodically be transmitted to the Broome County GIS Manager.
• The City's Stormwater Management Officer will review the ordinance annually and adjust as necessary to maintain compliance with NYS standards and requirements.
• The City's Stormwater Management Officer will investigate and confirm the source of pollutants of 100% of water quality issues that arise due to public complaints or by scheduled inspection of outfalls and implement enforcement actions per the Local Law to prohibit illicit discharges, activities and connections to the separate storm sewer system. This goal will be aided through utilization of a GIS application.
• The City's Stormwater Management Officer will annually update the non-stormwater discharge list as necessary, such that no exempt stormwater discharge is a substantial contributor of pollutants.
• Waterline flushing
• Landscape irrigation.
• Diverted stream flows.
• Rising ground waters
• Uncontaminated ground water infiltration
• Uncontaminated pumped ground water
• Discharges from potable water sources
• Foundation and footing drains
• Air conditioning condensate
• Irrigation water
• Springs
• Water from crawl space and basement sump pumps
• Lawn watering runoff
• Water from individual residential car washing.
• Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands
• Dechlorinated swimming pool and water reservoir discharges
• Residual street wash water
• Discharges or flows from firefighting activities.
• Any SPDES permitted discharge.
• The city will inspect and clean 20% of catch basins each year. Repairs will be made as necessary.

Additional organizations that assist with implementing the Stormwater Program include:

A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT among municipal corporations of the County of Broome, 60 Hawley St, Binghamton NY 13902 and the County of Tioga, 56 Main Street, Owego NY 13827, hereinafter referred to as "Counties" and the City of Binghamton, 38 Hawley Street, Binghamton NY 13901, hereinafter referred to as the "City" and the Town of Binghamton, 279 Park Avenue, Binghamton NY 13903, the Town of Chenango, Chenango Town Hall, 1529 State Rt. 12, Binghamton NY 13901, the Town of Conklin, PO Box 182, 1271 Conklin Rd, Conklin NY 13748, the Town of Dickinson, 531 Old Front Street #4, Binghamton NY 13905, the Town of Fenton, 44 Park Street, Port Crane NY 13833, the Town of Kirkwood, 70 Crescent Drive, Kirkwood NY 13795, the Town of Owego, 2354 State Route 434, Apalachin, NY 13732, the Town of Union, 3111 E Main Street, Endwell NY 13760, the Town of Vestal, 605 Vestal Parkway W, Vestal NY 13850, hereinafter referred to as "Towns", and the Village of Endicott, 1009 E Main Street, Endicott NY 13760, the Village of Johnson City, 243 Main Street, Johnson City NY 13790, and the Village of Port Dickinson, 786 Chenango Street, Binghamton NY 13901, hereinafter referred to as "Villages".

The Broome-Tioga Stormwater Coalition (The Coalition) exists through the enactment of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between 15 MS4s in the Binghamton Urbanized Area as listed above. The Coalition manages MCM 1 Education and outreach activities for coalition members, assists with MCM 2, and maintains the GIS inventory of stormwater assets. The MOU agreement can be found on either the BTSC website or in the engineering office at 38 Hawley St Binghamton NY, 13901.

Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts

The Broome Tioga Stormwater Coalition manages the Minimum Control Measure 1 activities on behalf of all 15 municipalities. Refer to the BTSC MCM 1 SWMP which can be found on broometiogastormwater.com.

These elements are covered in the BTSC/City of Binghamton MS4 Annual Stormwater reports. Records on training sessions are on file in the City of Binghamton Engineering Department.

Minimum Control Measure 1 — Public Education and Outreach Program

Pertaining to opportunities to involve the public in the development, review, and implementation of the SWMP and Annual Report.

• The public will have an opportunity to get involved in developing, reviewing, and/or implementing the City's SWMP and Annual Report. As a member of the Broome Tioga Stormwater Coalition (BTSC), the City's draft and final SWMP and Annual Report are available for review on the BTSC website (broometiogastormwater.com) as well as on the City's Stormwater Management website (Stormwater Management Program Plan | City of Binghamton New York)
• The City and BTSC archive the previous year's SWMP and Annual Report and replace them with the most current versions on both websites.
• The Annual Report is also available for public review at the Southern Tier 8 Regional Board: 49 Court Street, Suite 222, Binghamton NY 13901 and City Hall Engineering Office
• The BTSC will continue to hold a public meeting to solicit comment on the draft Annual Report and draft SWMP, including providing sufficient notice. The City will report annually to City Council or other municipal board during a regular meeting.
• The City of Binghamton will continue to post Public Stormwater Contact and Stormwater Program Manager Contact information on the City's website and update this information within one week of staff turnover.
• The City of Binghamton will annually hold a coordination meeting involving co-permittees, members of BTSC, regulatory agencies, and interested stakeholders to discuss the progress of the Stormwater Management Program and the next year's activities.
• The following staff person will serve as point of contact for public concerns regarding stormwater management and compliance issues. This contact information has been published by the City of Binghamton and the Broome-Tioga Stormwater Coalition to comply with the State Open Meetings Law when planning annual report presentation public meetings. The meeting notice is distributed as a press release within the required timeframe and is also posted along with the annual report on both the City's and Broome-Tioga Stormwater Coalition's website.

Stormwater Issues Public Contact

Public comments received on the SWMP plan and intended responses will be documented, annually, in an appendix to the SWMP. When public input is received, the City of Binghamton will update the SWMP plan, when appropriate, within thirty (30) days.

The Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) minimum control measure consists of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that focus on the detection, investigation, and elimination of illicit discharges into the MS4.

What are Illicit Discharges?

Illicit discharges are flows within a MS4 that do not consist entirely of stormwater. Common non-stormwater flows that are considered illicit discharges include restaurant waste, sewage, certain wash waters, vehicle maintenance activities, and many more.

The public can report instances of suspected illicit discharge to the Engineering office (607) 772-7007. Each report will be addressed/resolved within 30 days of the instance report.

What is an IDDE Program?

An IDDE program is a proactive way to prevent, identify, and remove illicit discharges through education, inspections, and enforcement.

The IDDE program applies to all monitoring locations within the City's MS4 system, including outfalls, interconnections, and municipal intraconnections.

• Outfall: Any point of stormwater discharge from pipes, ditches, and swales, as well as other points of concentrated flow, to surface waters of the State from an MS4 Operator's MS4. Areas of sheet flow that drain to surface waters of the State are not considered MS4 outfalls.
• Interconnection: Any point of stormwater discharge from pipes, ditches, and swales, as well as other points of concentrated flow, where the MS4 Operator's MS4 is discharging to another MS4 or private storm sewer system. Areas of sheet flow that drain to another MS4 or private storm sewer system are not considered interconnections.
• Intraconnection: Any point where stormwater is conveyed from the MS4 Operator's municipal facility to the MS4 Operator's own MS4. This is the most downgradient point of the MS4 infrastructure located on the municipal facility prior to discharge to the MS4.

The City will implement the components of the IDDE program, including:

• Monitoring Location Inspection and Sampling;
• Illicit Discharge Identification;
• Illicit Discharge Track-Down; and
• Illicit Discharge Elimination

City Staff are trained in IDDE program procedures as follows:

Staff completing inspection and sampling procedure training.

Staff completing illicit discharge track down procedure training.

Staff completing illicit discharge elimination procedure training.

What is Construction Stormwater?

When rain falls on a construction site, loose soil can be picked up, along with various materials and products, and mobilized into storm drains and waterways. Common pollutants from construction sites include sediment, nutrients, petroleum products, and litter/debris.

The City's construction stormwater oversight program has been developed to prevent construction related pollutants from entering waterways and promote proper planning and implementation of stormwater management practices. The program must address stormwater runoff to the MS4 from sites with construction activities that either result in a total land disturbance of greater than or equal to one acre or disturb less than one acre if part of a larger development.

Public Complaints

City of Binghamton has established the following phone or email contact for members of the public to report stormwater-related complaints from construction sites. Each complaint will be documented and appropriately investigated. A form to report suspected illicit discharge can be located here.

Public Stormwater Construction Complaint Contact Information

Construction Oversight Program

The City's program includes the following elements and associated procedures:

1. When the construction site stormwater control program applies
2. What types of construction activity require a SWPPP
3. The procedures for submission of SWPPPs
4. SWPPP review requirements
5. Pre-construction oversight requirements
6. Construction site inspection requirements and documentation procedures
7. Construction site close-out requirements
8. Enforcement process/expectations for compliance

Construction Site Inventory and Inspection Tracking

As part of maintaining proper oversight of projects, City of Binghamton maintains a prioritized inventory of applicable construction projects. This inventory will be maintained throughout the year and be updated in the SWMP document annually.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) are required for private and public sites that:

• Result in a total land disturbance of greater than or equal to one (1) acre; or
• Disturb less than one (1) acre if part of a larger common plan of development or sale.

Plans are submitted to the City of Binghamton Engineering Department via the Planning Department and are reviewed to confirm that the control standards and postconstruction stormwater standards are being met. City of Binghamton staff will make an initial review of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs). The City of Binghamton Engineer will conduct the review of the SWPPP and will sign the SWPPP Acceptance Form based upon their recommendations.

Staff Training

Individuals responsible for reviewing SWPPPs for acceptance must receive four hours of training in proper erosion and sediment control principles from a Soil & Water Conservation District, or other DEC endorsed entity. This training must be completed within three years of the EDC and every three years thereafter.

Staff who have completed DEC approved Four Hour Course.

Pre-Construction Meeting

The City of Binghamton conducts pre-construction meetings prior to the commencement of construction activities. During pre-construction meetings, the City reviews the construction oversight program and expectations for compliance with the constructor.

Construction Site Inspections

The City will annually inspect all sites with construction activity identified in the inventory after the pre-construction meeting, during active construction, or more frequent than annual if deficiencies are noted that require attention. Individuals responsible for construction site inspections receive 4 hours of DEC-endorsed training in proper erosion and sediment control principles within 3 years of the EDC and every 3 years thereafter.

Staff Who Have Completed DEC Approved Four Hour Course & Perform Construction Site Inspections

Construction Site Close-out

The City of Binghamton will ensure a final construction site inspection is conducted and documented in the SWMP Plan. A Notice of Termination will be signed by the City of Binghamton to indicate project completion.

What are Stormwater Management Practices (SMPs)?

SMPs are measures taken as part of new development or redevelopment projects that are intended to capture, treat, reduce and or retain stormwater runoff. The Post-Construction Stormwater management Program pertains the proper operation and maintenance of post-construction SMPs.

The City of Binghamton SMP program addresses stormwater runoff to the MS4 from publicly owned/operated AND privately owned/operated post-construction SMPs that were installed as part of any DEC-issued Construction General Permit (CGP) covered construction site, individual SPDES permit (since March 10, 2003), as well as all new post-construction SMPs constructed as part of the construction site stormwater runoff control program.

Individuals responsible for conducting post-construction SMP inspections and maintenance must receive training on the City's procedures, including the procedures outlined in the DEC endorsed training. This training must be completed prior to conducting any post-construction SWMP inspection and maintenance, once every five years thereafter, and when updates are made to the procedures.

Staff who have completed SMP Training

Post- Construction SMP Inventory and Inspection Tracking

The City of Binghamton maintains a SMP inventory for post-construction SMPs installed after March 10, 2003, as they are approved or discovered, and/or after the owner/operator for the construction activity has filled out the Notice of Termination. This inventory is updated annually.

SWPPP Review

Post-Construction SMP SWPPP review requirements mirror the during-construction SWPPP review requirements. See MCM 4 for more information.

Post-Construction SMP Inspection and Maintenance Program

The City of Binghamton conducts post-construction inspections at the frequency specified in the DEC Maintenance Guidance 2017, or as specified in the O&M plan contained in the approved SWPPP. If deficiencies are observed during the SMP inspection, the City can required the owner to initiate follow-up actions within 30-days of the inspection. If follow-up actions are not completed within 60-days, the City may initiate enforcement in accordance with the legal authority described in the SWMP.

The Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Program implements and enforces procedures associated with municipal facilities and operations to minimize the potential for pollutant discharges to the MS4 and receiving waters.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are implemented at municipal facilities and operational sites, including:

• Minimizing exposure of pollutant sources to stormwater
• Preventative maintenance programs
• Spill prevention and response procedures
• Erosion and sediment controls
• Managed vegetated areas and open space
• Salt stockpile control measures
• Waste, garbage, and floatable debris management

Municipality Facilities

The following deadlines are associated with the municipal facilities program:

• By January 2^nd, 2026, an inventory of all municipal facilities must be completed including information listed on pg. 44 of GP-0-24-001. See Attachment 5 for the related table to fulfill this requirement.
• By January 2^nd, 2027, municipal facilities identified in Attachment 5 must be prioritized per Part VI.F.2.c of the permit.
• By January 2^nd, 2027, BMPs must be incorporated into the municipal facility program and municipal operations.
• By January 2^nd, 2027, a catch basin inspection and maintenance program will be implemented within areas of construction activities, residential, commercial, and industrial areas, areas of recurring issues, and where there have been confirmed citizen complaints.
• By January 2^nd, 2027, the City will develop and implement a municipal operations Program. Municipal operations include: street and bridge maintenance; winter road maintenance; MS4 maintenance; open space maintenance; solid waste management; new construction and land disturbances; right‐of‐way maintenance; marine operations; or hydrologic habitat modification.
• By January 2^nd, 2029, a facility specific SWPPP must be completed for each high priority facility.
• By January 2^nd, 2029:
• Once every five (5) years, wet weather visual monitoring will be performed at monitoring locations (MS4 outfalls, interconnections, and municipal facility intraconnections) identified in Part VI.C of the permit (illicit discharges), AND other sites of where stormwater discharges from fueling areas, storage areas, vehicle and equipment maintenance/fueling areas, material handling areas, and similar potential pollutant sources. Wet weather monitoring is NOT required at low priority municipal facilities.
• Once every five (5) years following the most recent assessment, the MS4 Operator must complete a comprehensive site assessment for each high and low priority municipal facility.

Training

Training is provided to new employees and annual training to 100% of the members of the municipality whose work may potentially impact stormwater. This includes the Highway, Parks, and Water departments. Training will also be conducted when municipal operations procedures are updated.

Annually, the Broome-Tioga Stormwater Coalition provides a Winter Training Series on relevant stormwater management topics and practices, as well as site visits to local stormwater management sites. The City of Binghamton staff attend these training sessions.

Documentation of Staff Completing Municipal Operations Procedures Training

Street Cleaning

The City of Binghamton commits to sweeping and/or cleaning municipal streets, bridges, parking lots, and right of ways that are owned/operated by the City of Binghamton. The City of Binghamton will ensure that all roads, bridges, parking lots, and right of ways will be swept and/or cleaned once every five (5) years in the spring. The City of Binghamton sweeps streets weekly an average of 2000 miles per year. To ensure that all roads, bridges, parking lots, and right of ways are swept or cleaned once every five years the City of Binghamton follows this schedule:

1. Sweeping roads throughout the MS4 weekly throughout the summer, tracking the locations of the street sweeper to identify any un-swept roads, bridges, or right of ways.

The City of Binghamton will Start on one side of town and continue daily (Monday–Friday) until that side of town is completed. After a side of town is completed sweeping will move to the next side of town until we complete each side of town, then start over again.

The City of Binghamton will ensure to sweep each municipally owned parking lot each spring. The City of Binghamton tracks municipally owned property and schedules days for street sweeping that are specifically for these parking lots.

In addition to the requirements above, the City of Binghamton will sweep all roads in business and commercial areas from April 1 through October 31^st. The City of Binghamton has a comprehensive zoning map and understands where the business and commercial areas in the city are (See zoning map).

For any questions on sweeping of streets, bridges, parking lots, and right aways please call City of Binghamton DPW at (607) 772-7021/7022.