The Federal Environmental Protection Agency determined that approximately 65% of all water pollution results from “non-point” source pollution. In highly urbanized areas such as Westchester County that figure may be as high as 75%. In fact, studies have indicated that non-point source pollution is responsible for more environmental damage every year than the damage caused by the Exxon Valdes oil spill in 1989. Non-point source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, and coastal waters. These pollutants include excess fertilizers, herbicides, oils, greases, chemicals, sediment, salt, pet wastes and material from faulty septic systems. As these pollutants flow through our storm sewer system, they eventually make their way out to the Bronx River and Long Island Sound. For household tips on reducing and preventing non-point source pollution, click here
Additionally, Since water pollution knows no municipal boundary, the Village has also taken an active role in the Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council (LISWIC), an organization that works regionally to protect our vital natural resources. The Village is actually located within two distinct regional drainage basins, the Bronx River Drainage Basin and the Lower Long Island Sound Drainage Basin. LISWIC is a group of 12 municipalities representing a population of 282,208 and covering an approximate 50 square mile area located on the Long Island Sound. LISWIC members include the cities of New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Rye, the towns of Harrison and Mamaroneck, the villages of Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Port Chester, Rye Brook and Scarsdale.
The Village of Scarsdale's Stormwater Contact is John D. Goodwin, Assistant to the Village Manager and he can be reached at 914-722-1110.
For more infotrmation on non-point source pollution and what you can do to prevent it, please follow the link below. Environmental Protection Agency Non-point Source Pollution webpage