West Haven, CT Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Public Works
- First violation fine
- $100
- Second and third-plus fines
- $200 and $250
- Hearing request deadline
- 10 calendar days from first notice
- Watercourse upkeep
- Owner or lessee keeps it free of trash and debris
- Nonhazardous spill notice
- No later than the next business day
- Court appeal window
- 30 days, Superior Court
Summary
In the City of West Haven, Connecticut, Chapter 204 bars every discharge into the municipal storm drain system except stormwater, outlaws illicit connections, and puts the Department of Public Works in charge of inspection and enforcement. Fines run $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second and $250 for a third and each later one.
A. Prohibition of illegal discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the municipal storm drain system or watercourses any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than stormwater. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the storm drain system is prohibited, except as described as follows: ... ... B. Prohibition of illicit connections. (1) The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections to the storm drain system is prohibited. (2) This prohibition expressly includes, without limitation, illicit connections made in the past, regardless of whether the connection was permissible under law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of connection. (3) A person is considered to be in violation of this chapter if the person connects a line conveying sewage to the MS4 or allows such a connection to continue.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 204 was adopted by the City Council of the City of West Haven on 2-13-2017 to control pollutants entering the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) and to meet the NPDES permit process. Under § 204-7, no one in the City of West Haven can discharge anything other than stormwater into the storm drain system or watercourses. The exempt list covers waterline flushing, landscape irrigation or lawn watering, foundation or footing drains, air-conditioning condensation, noncommercial washing of vehicles, dechlorinated swimming pools, firefighting activities and any other water source not containing pollutants. Dye testing is allowed with verbal notice to the enforcement agency before the test. Illicit connections are banned even when they were legal at the time they were made, and connecting a sewage line to the MS4 is a violation.
The Department of Public Works administers and enforces the chapter (§ 204-4). Owners and operators of residential, commercial, industrial or under-construction establishments must provide reasonable structural and nonstructural best management practices at their own expense (§ 204-11). Anyone with an industrial or construction activity NPDES permit must comply with it (§ 204-9), and the chapter defines construction activity as land disturbance of one acre, or 1/2 acre where the discharge goes to an impaired water. Every owner or lessee of property with a watercourse running through it must keep that part free of trash, debris, excessive vegetation and other obstacles (§ 204-12).
Public Works can enter and inspect facilities, require monitoring equipment, and seek a search warrant if access is refused (§ 204-10). After a release of hazardous materials the responsible person must immediately notify emergency response through dispatch. For a nonhazardous release, the enforcement agency must hear by the next business day, with written confirmation mailed to Public Works within three business days. Commercial and industrial operators keep a written record of the discharge for at least three years (§ 204-13).
Violations & Fines
A first violation costs $100, a second $200 and a third or later violation $250 (§ 204-14B), and a violation involving more than one activity class is fined the sum of each class. Each violation is a separate offense, and daily citations can begin two calendar days after a notice of violation is received. Public Works can suspend MS4 access, order cleanup, and bill abatement costs with 8% annual interest, and unpaid charges become a lien on the property (§ 204-18).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drain my pool into a West Haven storm drain?
What are the fines under the West Haven storm sewer chapter?
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How do I appeal a stormwater violation in West Haven?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Haven
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