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�պ�����'s Main Campus covers approximately 463 acres located within the cities of Burlington and South Burlington. This area drains into four different stream watersheds:

• Centennial Brook
• Englesby Brook
• Potash Brook
• Winooski River

These four watersheds ultimately discharge to Lake Champlain. Additionally, portions of stormwater from �պ�����'s campus drain into the City of Burlington's combined sewer system where the runoff is treated --along with municipal wastewater-- before being discharged into Lake Champlain.

�պ����� Campus Watershed Map (PDF)

The University’s stormwater system functions within a highly regulated environment of federal, state and local regulations and permit requirements. The University uses a multifaceted approach to limit and treat stormwater runoff as well as participate within the wider regional network to address stormwater impacts throughout the affected watersheds and beyond. 

In accordance with these regulations, the University is defined as a "non-traditional" MS4 (responsible for a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). This means that the University must obtain and comply with MS4 permit requirements which are federally mandated Clean Water Act permit that the State of Vermont has been authorized to administer.

2024 MS4 Permit Issued to �պ����� (PDF)

The MS4 permit requires that �պ����� prepare and implement a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that addresses six (6) Minimum Control Measures. These entail:

1. Public Education and Outreach
2. Public Participation/Involvement
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
5. Post-Construction Runoff Control
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

The first two measures (Public Education and Outreach, and Public Participation/Involvement) are not site specific and so the University participates in a regional effort with other MS4 entities to educate and involve the public in best practices to reduce stormwater impacts.

�պ����� helps fund and regularly attends the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s meetings to discuss stormwater projects, regulations, goals, education, and outreach. The CWAC also has an MS4 Subcommittee consisting of representatives of the nine municipalities and three agencies, including �պ�����, charged with implementing the Public Education and Outreach and Public Participation and Involvement measures. There are several branches of activities including the "" public education campaign.

�պ����� complies with the other four Minimum Controls Measures through a complex campus-wide system infrastructure of stormwater facilities, treatments, conveyances and best practices. 

The University submits an annual report to the State of Vermont that documents these efforts. As permit conditions evolve, the University has added treatments and adjusted best practices as necessary.

2024 �պ����� Stormwater Plan (PDF)

For copies of prior year's SWM plans, email �պ����� Planning, Design and Construction (arch@uvm.edu)

In 2012, new permit conditions were added to develop Flow Restoration Plans (FRPs) to implement more stringent stormwater goals in each impaired watershed. The University worked with other MS4s in the same watershed to produce FRPs that address region-wide goals. Part of this process included identification of treatments and sites, and financing of these treatments. The University is a full partner in this effort, and there are several treatment sites that are on �պ����� land, funded by the University.

���ղ�’s has definitions of the storm watersheds, sizes and other information.

The cities of Burlington and South Burlington, and the towns of Colchester and Shelburne have created storm water utilities that charge all land owners, including �պ�����, for addressing storm water impacts. These cities and towns then use the funds from these fees to improve stormwater treatments and comply with their own MS4 requirements. The University pays fees as necessary, and also gets “stormwater credits” (i.e. discounts on the fee amounts) for use of our own stormwater treatment facilities.

�պ�����-owned and managed natural areas, such as the Colchester Bog, naturally contribute stormwater capacity to the municipal systems.

In addition to the regulatory component of ���ղ�’s efforts, other projects-- sometimes student and/or faculty-initiated-- treat stormwater on-site and/or provide infiltration where soil types enable this. The University continues to be a steward of the land, and participate in both �պ�����-specific and community efforts to address stormwater impacts locally and regionally. 

• Salt Mitigation Initiatives on Campus 

 [Some of the information on this webpage was adapted from State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources information on the MS4 Permit.]