Water from rain and melting snow that flows over lawns, parking lots and streets is known as stormwater. This water, all called runoff, travels along gutters, into catch basins and through storm drain pipes and ditches, and eventually discharges into our streams and rivers untreated. Along the way, the runoff picks up trash (fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, styrofoam cups, etc.) and toxins (used motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, pet droppings, etc.). The transport of these pollutants into local water bodies can result in the destruction of fish, wildlife, and habitats; threats to public health due to contaminated food and drinking water supplies; and losses of recreational and aesthetic values.

In 2004, two sets of new stormwater rules established a comprehensive framework for addressing water quality impacts associated with existing and future stormwater discharges.

Newly adopted Stormwater Management Rules emphasize low impact building techniques that will prevent and minimize impact on new development sites using both structural and non-structural techniques such as minimizing land disturbance, minimizing impervious cover, infiltration basins and vegetative filters. These Rules set forth the required components of regional and municipal stormwater management plans and establish the stormwater management design and performance standards for new (proposed) development. The design and performance standards for new development include groundwater recharge, runoff quantity controls, runoff quality controls, and Category One buffers. Details of the performance standards can be found in Subchapter 5 of the Stormwater Management Rules.

In addition to the Stormwater Management Rules, the Phase II New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater Regulation Program Rules were also adopted. These rules govern the issuance of permits to entities that own or operate small municipal separate storm sewer systems known as MS4s. Under this program, permits must be secured by municipalities, certain public complexes such as universities and hospitals, and State, interstate and federal agencies that operate or maintain highways.

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