Ten of the 19 New York City watershed reservoirs are currently classified as impaired. This means they are not meeting their designated uses due to excess pollutants. In 9 of these 10 reservoirs, all in the Croton District, excess phosphorus is the main culprit in the declining water quality.*

As part of our stormwater pollution prevention education efforts, the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) Fund has embarked on a campaign to clean up our waters. NYPIRG recently teamed up with our friends in the watershed, League of Women Voters of Westchester, to produce and distribute two guides: Green Lawns, Blue Waters-Consumer Guide to Safe and Healthy Waters and Pesticide-Free Gardening.

- promoting lake and environmental stewardship

- providing resources for lake residents, lake associations,
and cottage owner

From the Web Page:

DRAFT ANNUAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT REPORT
Town of Lewisboro
SPDES # NYR20A227
June 1, 2004


Executive Summary:


Phosphorous is the biggest stormwater pollutant in Lewisboro. Failing septics and overuse of lawn fertilizer are the main sources of this phosphorous pollution.
Phosphorous has led to the eutrophication of the Croton, Titicus and Muscoot Reservoirs, as well as our own Lakes Truesdale, Waccabuc, Rippowam and Oscaleta.


Septic system failure can be prevented with routine maintenance. This is critical in Lewisboro because most of our homes rely on septic systems. Over-use of lawn fertilizers can be reduced through education of our residents. Wetland buffers can help reduce phosphorous pollution by allowing nature to filter out phosphorous and other pollutants. Regular cleaning of catch basins allows the basins to trap the roadside run-off that carries phosphorous, nitrates, and sedimentation. These simple, inexpensive measures are the basis of our stormwater management program. If implemented, they will result in cleaner water for our residents.


The highlight of our year ending March 9, 2004 was the passing of the 150-foot wetland buffer ordinance. This will ensure that our wetlands and buffers will be protected, allowing them to continue to filter water pollutants. 111 acres of watershed land in the center of Lewisboro, including two streams and wetlands, were also preserved this past year. Water quality studies of two lakes were also completed. All our storm drains were mapped, and all basins in the lake communities were cleaned.

(continues on http://www.lewisborogov.com/committees/Stormwater-Mgt%20Report.html site...)

Truesdale Lake participates in the Citizens Lake Assessment Program along with another 200 or so lakes in New York State.

From their website:
Quote:

The Stormwater Manager's Resource Center is designed specifically for stormwater practitioners, local government officials and others that need technical assistance on stormwater management issues. Created and maintained by the Center for Watershed Protection, the SMRC has everything you need to know about stormwater in a single site.