A talk with Aubrey Strause, PE, Stormwater Program Coordinator for the City of South Portland

Protecting water quality in South Portland and Casco Bay requires the shared effort of people in several different City departments. Aubrey Strause, Stormwater Program Coordinator with the Water Resource Protection Department (WRP) will talk about these efforts and programs, which are really important but are not always obvious. Her presentation will include: 

• Types of pollution (soil, bacteria, fertilizer, oil, detergents) and how they impact natural resources.  

• A review of different types of infrastructure: sanitary sewer system vs stormwater vs combined sewer, and the Maine DEP requirements for each. 

• Maintenance and inspection of the sanitary sewer system and the stormwater system. 

• The kinds of oversight that are provided on small and large construction projects.

• How we look for - and eliminate - pollution that's getting into the stormwater system.

• The level of review provided for management of stormwater from proposed new development and redevelopment.

• When water can be discharged to the City's stormwater system, and when it can't!

• Requirements for pollution prevention and good housekeeping at City facilities.

• What to do when you see pollution getting into the stormwater system or into a natural resource. 

• Things everyone can do to reduce or prevent pollution.