The Village of Menands is part of the New York State Municipal Separated Storm Sewer System Program (MS4) in Albany County. Along with eleven other communities and SUNY Albany, the Village is part of the Albany County Stormwater Coalition. The Program is a direct result of the mandates imposed on localities by the Federal Clean Water Act.

Managing stormwater is a challenging responsibility especially in areas where runoff from rain events and melting snow can flow quickly over paved areas into streams and ultimately into the Hudson River. The issue becomes more complicated as stormwater collects and transports pollutants such as road salt, pesticides, fertilizers, petroleum products, antifreeze, animal waste and other litter into surface water impacting water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational areas.

The Coalition was created by an intermunicipal agreement to allow the participating communities to implement the MS4 Program. The Coalition is governed by a Board of Directors with staff and operations hosted by Albany County.  The Village hosts the monthly meetings of the Coalition Working Group.

One of the requirements of the Program is the preparation and submission of an Annual Report which is submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  The Report consists of six sections which are prepared in part by the Village with the remainder by Coalition staff.

The 2011 Annual Report has been posted on line at www.albanycounty.com/edcp/swp.asp.  Please take the time to review the Report to learn more about this important Program.