We’re committed to improving our ecosystems, quality of life, and communities for the better.
Our passion and commitment to the integration of innovative science and engineering drive us to exceed on behalf of every client.
New Jersey Future, in partnership with Princeton Hydro, launched the New Jersey Stormwater Retrofit Best Management Practices (BMP) Guide. This comprehensive resource stands as a pivotal tool to aid local and county governments, nonprofits, developers, and property owners in retrofitting stormwater infrastructure and integrating sustainable green infrastructure solutions.
Historically, stormwater management measures, often seen in the form of detention basins in residential developments, shopping centers, and corporate complexes, have been designed to control peak flow (i.e., the maximum flow of water during a storm event) and do not necessarily provide a water quality improvement benefit. A stormwater retrofit aims to modify the existing drainage system to further improve stormwater control and treatment practices. Retrofits can reduce runoff volume, filter out pollutants, increase groundwater recharge, and help mimic pre-development hydrology.
Many stormwater management features were built prior to contemporary regulatory frameworks like the 2021 Green Infrastructure Rule and 2023 Inland Flood Protection Rule. This guide aims to bridge the gap, supporting municipalities in complying with updated MS4 Permit regulations, offering insights into retrofitting existing BMPs, and introducing novel strategies for installing new stormwater BMPs in built-out environments.
Click here to view and download the complete guide.
New Jersey Future will be hosting a public webinar to review this new resource on January 23, 2024 at 12 PM. Register for the webinar here!
Many communities installed stormwater features prior to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) 2004 Stormwater Management Rule, which means they are outdated and not designed to manage current and future storm events.
The guide’s primary aim is to provide invaluable context and guidance, enhancing planning, prioritization, and design efforts for stormwater retrofits. It’s positioned to aid in MS4 Tier A permit compliance, project identification, and design while fostering public-private partnerships aligned with New Jersey Future’s mission to promote sensible and equitable growth, redevelopment, and infrastructure investments to foster healthy, strong, resilient communities.
The guide is also intended to supplement existing resources provided by NJDEP as well as New Jersey Future’s Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure Program’s New Jersey Green Infrastructure Municipal Toolkit and New Jersey Developers Green Infrastructure Guide.
“As climate change is exacerbating flooding across the Garden State, it is imperative that we update our existing stormwater infrastructure to both handle the increased quantity of stormwater and filter out pollutants,” said Dana Patterson Grear, Director of Marketing and Communications for Princeton Hydro, who helped design the guide and oversee its creation. “This comprehensive stormwater retrofit guide is a treasure trove of insights, strategies, and practical guidance aimed at empowering communities to retrofit outdated stormwater features in order to improve water quality and reduce flooding in their neighorhoods.“
The informative and visually engaging guide is organized into eight sections. It delves into the historical context, the journey and evolution of stormwater management in New Jersey; provides real-world examples of successful stormwater retrofit projects across the state; discusses post-construction stormwater system inspection and maintenance protocols to ensure the longevity and effectiveness; and explores a diverse range of stormwater retrofit options, techniques, and strategies tailored for various community landscapes with practical insights and implementation guidance for a spectrum of scenarios.
“The majority of New Jersey’s stormwater management systems were designed and implemented before the MS4 permitting program was created in 2004 and before the NJ Stormwater Management Rule required green infrastructure,” said Lindsey Sigmund, PP, AICP, Program Manager for New Jersey Future. “New Jersey Future believes that green infrastructure is a key tool to easing the burden of flooding issues by repairing and restoring missing links in the water cycle. This guide will help New Jersey’s municipalities retrofit their legacy infrastructure, implement green infrastructure solutions, and improve water quality and reduce flooding in their communities.“
The toolkit’s conclusion resonates as a call to action, emphasizing the flexibility and adaptability of stormwater retrofits. It encourages proactive engagement with local agencies, universities, soil conservation districts, and watershed associations to initiate these vital transformations. Moreover, it directs stakeholders towards potential funding sources, underscoring the guide’s practical applicability.
New Jersey Future partnered with Princeton Hydro to create the guide along with input from a team of committed stakeholders, which includes: Fred Akers, Sheila Baker Gujral, Sandra Blick PE, Stephen Elliott, Andrew Filippi PE, Kathy Hale, Jeromie Lange, PE, PP, CME, CFM, Grant Lucking, Gabriel Mahon, PE, Craig McGee, Nicole Miller, Christopher Obropta, PE, Michael Pisauro Jr. Esq., Annie Polkowski, Jaclyn Rhoads PhD, Lucia Osborne, and Fred Stine. A special thank you to Lindsey Sigmund and Patricia Dunkak of New Jersey Future and the entire stakeholder team for your ideas, feedback, and participation. New Jersey Future also gratefully acknowledges the William Penn Foundation for its generous financial support, which made this project possible.
Founded in 1987, New Jersey Future is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes sensible and equitable growth, redevelopment, and infrastructure investments to foster healthy, strong, resilient communities; protect natural lands and waterways; increase transportation choices beyond cars; provide access to safe, affordable, and aging-friendly neighborhoods; and fuel a strong economy for everyone. Click here to learn more.
Princeton Hydro is a leader in innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sound stormwater management systems. The preparation of stormwater management plans and design of stormwater management systems for pollutant reduction is an integral part of our projects. Click here to learn more.
To explore more of New Jersey’s stormwater management resources, click here.
add comment
Δ
Your Full Name * Phone Number * Your Email * Organization Address Message *
By EmailBy Phone
Submit
Couldn’t find a match? Check back often as we post new positions throughout the year.
PRINCETON HYDRO
PRINCETON HYDRO