Environmental Health and Safety

Prohibition Policy for Non-Storm Water into Campus Storm Sewer Drains

You may notice the phrase "Only Rain Down The Drain" stenciled around many of the campus storm water drain inlets.  A separate storm water drainage collection system conveys storm water run-off from campus grounds and buildings directly to Scajaquada Creek.  Scajaquada Creek, which receives untreated storm water discharges from many properties and entities along its watershed, is listed by the NYS DEC as an "impaired" waterway due elevated levels of the following "Pollutants of Concern":

* Oil and floating substances (a.k.a. floatables);

* Phosphorus; and

* Fecal coliform (a.k.a. pathogens).

An "impairment" designation listing indicates Scajaquada Creek can not meet it's designated best usages (fish propagation & survival, swimming, etc.) due to excessive pollutant levels. 

Pathogens include fecal coliform and other bacteria, which can cause sickness or disease outbreaks in wildlife, aquatic organisms, and humans if ingested.  Raw sewage, animal feces, and decaying dead organic matter are often sources of pathogens.

Floatables include grease and other solids capable of creating a floating film over the water.  Floatables can contain pathogens, pesticides, and concentrated metals, which can be harmful to fish and wildlife that rely on the creek for survival.

Phosphorus is a substance often found in fertilizers, tree leaves, and soil and can cause excessive algae growth in waterways, which can block sunlight and reduce oxygen levels needed for aquatic organisms to survive.

The NYS DEC MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit  specifies an "Illicit Discharges" as any discharge into a separate storm sewer system (MS4) that is not entirely composed of stormwater, with the exception of certain allowable non-storm water sources.  The permit also allows SUNY Buffalo State to designate any other non permitted discharge as an illicit discharge. A few examples of illicit discharges include vehicle or equipment spills or leaks that migrate into the storm sewer system, illegal dumping of materials, wastes, or wastewater directly into the storm sewer system, and storm-run-off that contacts, mobilizes and carries contaminants from material stockpiles or muddy construction sites into the storm sewer drains.

Help keep our campus attractive by properly disposing of litter, waste, and reporting spills. Authorization requests or other inquiries regarding non-storm water disposal should be directed to the EH&S Office  at 716.878.6136.

As required by the NYS DEC MS4 permit, SUNY Buffalo State maintains and implements a Stormwater Enforcement Response Plan to enforce the illicit discharge prohibition. The enforcement plan is a component of the SUNY Buffalo State's Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Plan, which is required by the MS4 permit. The SWMP Plan can be  viewed during normal business hours by contacting Facilities Maintenance operations center at 716.878.611.