Stormwater Program

Managing stormwater is a challenging responsibility, especially in urbanized areas where runoff from rain events and melting snow can flow quickly over paved areas into our lakes and streams.  This issue becomes especially important when stormwater collects and transports pollutants such as road salt, pesticides, fertilizers, petroleum products, antifreeze, animal waste, and litter into our surface waters impacting drinking water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational areas.

The Department is involved in coordinating both inter-departmental and intermunicipal aspects of the County's mandatory stormwater management program and works closely with the Department of Public Works to comply with State regulations related to stormwater discharges.

In order to meet the challenges of addressing stormwater runoff issues and State permit compliance, the County, in partnership with eleven other regulated municipalities, has signed an intermunicpal agreement to create the Stormwater Coalition of Albany County. The Coalition is governed by a Board of Directors and Coalition staff and operations are hosted by Albany County. A working group of staff from member municipalities, the County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Capital District Regional Planning Commission work together to implement a workplan and projects that meet shared stormwater management goals and keep municipalities in compliance with stormwater regulations.

Staff from the County Office of Natural Resource Conservation serves on the Coaltion workgroup to provide GIS, and other technical support as well as assisting the Department of Public Works with other County stormwater activities. Please contact Laura DeGaetano at Ldegaetano@albanycounty.com or Margaret DellaRocco at DPW mdellarocco@albanycounty.com for information on the County's Stormwater Management Program.

For more information on the Stormwater Coalition of Albany County, please contact Nancy Heinzen, Stormwater Program Coordinator stormwatercoalition@albanycounty.com or (518) 447-5645

More information:

Albany County Department of Public Works is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the stormwater conveyance system along County roads. The Commissioner of Public Works is designated as the County's Stormwater Management Officer, manages the County Stormwater system, and enforces the Illicit Discharge and Elimination Law.

Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District is a partner in promoting stormwater awareness by producing educational literature and supporting stormwater workshops for construction contractors and municipal officials.