Stormwater Management

Overview

Good stormwater management practices around the home are essential to preserving Hempstead Town's beautiful natural resources. As stormwater flows over driveways, lawns, sidewalks, and streets, it picks up debris, chemicals, and other pollutants. Stormwater flows into our storm drain system and discharges into our creeks, streams, bays, and groundwater. Polluted runoff is one of the nation's greatest threat to clean waters. The information provided on this page is designed to help you adopt healthy household habits and help protect our wetlands, coastal waters, and groundwater.

  1. You Can Help Stop Water Pollution
  2. Only Rain Should Go Down Our Storm Drains
  3. Put Pet Waste in Its Place
  4. Storm Drain Medallion Program
  5. Green Infrastructure
  6. Marine Debris
  7. Report an Environmental Complaint
  8. Annual Stormwater Management Report

You Can Help Stop Water Pollution

According to recent studies, polluted stormwater is a major cause of water pollution problems in New York State. One way we can help is by increasing the amount of water that soaks into the ground, which will then recharge our aquifers and reduce the amount of water flowing into the street. Here's what you can do to increase water absorption by making improvements around your home or business:

  • Plant trees, shrubs, or ground covers
  • Redirect downspouts from paved areas to vegetated areas
  • Use a rain barrel to catch and store water for gardens
  • Install gravel trenches along driveways or patios
  • When building a new home, or renovating your driveway, have the driveway and walkways graded so water flows onto lawn areas
  • Use permeable pavers or similar green infrastructure installations for driveways, walkways, patios, or any hardscaping or landscaping project (learn more in the Green Infrastructure tab below)

More Ways You Can Help Stop Water Pollution

  • Minimize use of lawn chemicals (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers) and de-icing materials
  • Keep storm drains clear of leaves, plastics, litter and other debris
  • Properly dispose of hazardous waste (automotive fluids, solvents, cleaners, etc.) at the Town’s S.T.O.P. Program
  • Clean up household spills! Don’t wash them into the street or a storm drain
  • Sweep (don’t wash) grass clippings, leaves, soil and fertilizer off paved areas.  If left there, rain will wash them into storm drains.  Compost these items instead!
  • Wash your car at a professional car wash, or if that’s not possible, use eco-friendly biodegradable soaps and prevent water runoff to nearby streets, 
  • Volunteer for our Storm Drain Medallion Program (learn more in the Storm Drain Medallion Program tab below)

Stormwater Pollution & Green Infrastructure Solutions Video

The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District produced this educational film on Stormwater Pollution and Green Infrastructure, as a joint project with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. We hope you enjoy it and share what you have learned with your friends and family. We work together, for healthy soils and clean water.  To learn more and for more stormwater education resources, visit www.nassauswcd.org