West New York, NJ Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Stormwater in the Town of West New York is handled through development review, in Chapter 358, Subdivision of Land, Article VI, Design Standards. Section 358-32 requires any site plan or land subdivision plat submitted for approval to be accompanied by a preliminary grading and drainage plan designed to serve the entire property and any off-site area contributing runoff. The plan has to carry enough detail for the town's Engineers to decide whether it is an adequate system to carry off, store or discharge the runoff and drainage water originating within and beyond the applicant's boundaries. The section also bars diverting stormwater or natural drainage water so as to overload existing drainage systems, flood other private or public land, or create a need for additional drainage structures without approved provisions.

Section 358-33 supplies numbers. Roadways and parking and loading areas need drainage facilities designed to a storm frequency, with pipe systems at 25 years up to 50 acres and the 100-year runoff determined by the rational formula. Inlets restrict runoff to five cubic feet per second so water does not encroach the twelve-foot wide traffic lane. Rainfall runoff from the site is limited to 110% of the runoff in its existing natural condition, and the town's Engineers review anything above that directed off-site to decide whether detention or retention applies.

Section 358-41 covers hardware: all streets get catch basins and pipes, dry wells do not satisfy the requirement, and storm drain pipes have a minimum diameter of 15 inches. Section 358-30B requires a stormwater easement or drainage right-of-way where a watercourse crosses the property. Under § 331-7, unpolluted water such as cooling water cannot be discharged to a community sewer without written approval of the Authority.