Manchester, CT Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 275, Storm Drainage System Management, was adopted by the Board of Directors on May 7, 2019, to protect health, safety and welfare by controlling nonstormwater discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) to the maximum extent practicable, satisfying federal and state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit obligations. Section 275-7A prohibits any person from discharging or causing to be discharged into the municipal storm drain system or watercourses any materials, including pollutants, other than stormwater, that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards.

A list of exemptions covers things like uncontaminated groundwater, dechlorinated pool water, irrigation runoff, firefighting flows and discharges authorized under a state permit issued pursuant to C.G.S. § 22a-430 or § 22a-430b. Section 275-7B separately bans illicit connections, including sewage lines tied into the MS4, whether the connection is new or predates this chapter. The Public Works Department administers and enforces the chapter as the "authorized enforcement agency" under § 275-4, and § 275-8 lets it suspend a violator's MS4 access without prior notice in an emergency, or after notice and a chance to petition for reconsideration in non-emergency cases.

Enforcement runs through a notice of violation under § 275-14, which can require monitoring, cleanup, cessation of the discharge, fines or corrective best management practices, followed by citations under § 275-15: $100 for a first citation and $250 for a second, with every 24-hour period the violation continues after a citation counting as a new violation and a new fine. Appeals go to the General Manager's office within 10 days, per § 275-16.