[Amended 12-11-2007 by L.L. No. 3-2007; 12-11-2012]
A. 
Applicability. The purpose of this article is to establish the criteria to be used in the design of as well as to specify the standards and materials to be employed in construction of, the storm drainage system for projects in the Town that are not subject to regulation under Article XIV of Chapter 245, Zoning, of the Town Code or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Construction Activities, Permit No. GP-0-10-001, or as amended or revised.
B. 
Compliance with stormwater management regulations. For all land development activities subject to the requirements of Article XIV of Chapter 245, Zoning, of the Town Code, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Construction Activities, Permit No. GP-0-10-001, or as amended or revised, the design criteria, applicable design storm frequency, construction specifications, standards, and materials to be employed in the construction of the storm drainage system, stormwater management facilities, and any other portion of the project shall be determined in accordance with and shall comply with the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control Manual; the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual; and any stormwater pollution prevention plan approved by the Town in accordance with Article XIV of Chapter 245, Zoning, of the Town Code.
The storm drain system for the Town of Niagara consists of all facilities constructed to convey surface runoff only to free drainage outlets on or adjacent to the project site. These facilities include swales, pipes, culverts, ditches, open channels and any related permanent structures used in conjunction with the operation of these facilities.
A. 
All workmanship will be done in strict accordance with the approved plans. Any work done in a substandard manner will not be acceptable to the Town and will be removed at no expense to the Town by the developer immediately upon notice by the Town Inspector.
B. 
All worker facilities and construction methods shall be in strict compliance with the latest OSHA and New York State Labor Department standards.
C. 
All materials used in construction of any facilities to be dedicated to the Town shall be in strict conformance with the New York Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials (latest edition), as well as all national and state standards, as their jurisdictions apply.
The design criteria used for determination of the surface runoff shall be in accordance with the procedures outlined in Chapter IV, "Storm Sewer Design Criteria", Storm Drainage Design Manual by Erie and Niagara Counties Regional Planning Board, July 1972 (reprinted July, 1977).
A. 
A ten-year design storm will be used to design all storm drain systems in the Town of Niagara. The peak rate of surface runoff will be calculated using the Rational Method where Q = CiA. The runoff coefficient should be selected using the properties of the watershed in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation System (SCS) hydro logic soil groups and their properties.
B. 
Removal of spring and surface water. The developer may be required by the Planning Board to carry away by pipe or open ditch any spring or surface water that may exist either previous to or as a result of the development. Such drainage facilities shall be located in the street right-of-way where feasible, or in perpetual unobstructed easements of appropriate width.
C. 
Drainage structure to accommodate potential development. A culvert or other drainage facility shall, in each case, be large enough to accommodate potential runoff from its entire upstream drainage area, whether inside or outside the project area. The Town Engineer shall approve the design and size of the facility based on anticipated runoff from ten-year storm under conditions of total potential development permitted by the Zoning Law[1] in the watershed.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 245, Zoning.
D. 
Responsibility for drainage downstream. The developer's engineer shall also study the effect of each element of the project on the existing downstream drainage facilities outside the area of the project. This study shall be approved by the Town Engineer. Where it is anticipated that the additional runoff incidental to the development of the subdivision will overload an existing downstream drainage facility during a ten-year storm, the Planning Board shall notify the Town Board of such potential condition. In such case, the Planning Board shall not approve the project until provision has been made for the improvement of said condition.
E. 
Retention/detention requirements.
(1) 
Where a proposed development has been determined to potentially impact downstream drainage facilities, the use of a retention/detention system within the development may be required. The necessity of managing stormwater runoff generated from new development and associated impacts downstream must be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
(2) 
Generally, the use of a retention/detention system is warranted when any of the following may occur:
(a) 
The existing drainage system is inadequate.
(b) 
The existing drainage system is incapable of conveying additional runoff which would be caused by new development.
(c) 
The additional runoff created by new development causes distress to existing users of the drainage system.
(3) 
Initial screening process.
(a) 
Prior to the design of proposed storm conveyance facilities for a new site development, a thorough review of the existing drainage system(s) contemplated for use adjacent to the proposed development is required.
(b) 
After initial evaluation of the existing sewer facilities, and discussion with the developer, the Town Engineer will set the criteria for the evaluation, managing and conveying of stormwater runoff from the proposed development to the existing drainage facilities.
(c) 
Criteria for evaluating stormwater runoff from a proposed development shall be based upon either the Rational Method or the SCS Hydrograph Method, as found in the Storm Drainage Design Manual published by the Erie-Niagara Regional Planning Board.
(d) 
The method of runoff evaluation may vary, depending upon the magnitude and extent of the proposed development and the adequacy of the existing drainage systems contemplated for use.
(e) 
Should retention/detention not be required, the stormwater runoff system shall be designed to convey runoff generated from a ten-year design storm as determined by the Rational Method.
(4) 
Design procedure for retention/detention. Should retention/detention facilities be required, the following procedures shall be utilized in determining the magnitude and extent of detention facilities necessary to manage and convey storm water runoff generated within a proposed development, through use of the Hydrograph Method (SCS Procedure).
(a) 
The predevelopment (i.e., existing) stormwater runoff shall be determined by utilizing the outline described in the Storm Drainage Design Manual prepared by the Erie and Niagara Counties Regional Planning Board. Using a ten-year design storm, the runoff for the predeveloped (existing) conditions of the site considered for development must be determined. This procedure will identify the maximum allowable discharge rate from the site under most conditions, unless otherwise directed by the Town Engineer, and forms the basis for an outfall design hydrograph.
(b) 
As a second step, the proposed development shall be evaluated and runoff to be generated shall be determined by the same method, except the twenty-five-year curve and a six-hour storm duration is to be utilized. This procedure will define the inflow hydrograph to be used in determining the volume and extent of retention/detention necessary for the proposed development.
(c) 
Finally, through a comparison of the inflow hydrograph (representing stormwater runoff generated on site) to the outflow hydrograph (representing the amount of water allowed to be conveyed from the site), the volume of water which must be stored or retained on site is to be determined. The procedure, leading to determining the volume of water which must be stored on site, does not address the means by which the maximum rate of discharge of stormwater runoff leaves the site. Consideration of conveyance of runoff from the site must be addressed separately.
(d) 
Prior to addressing the means by which the discharge of stormwater runoff leaves the site, the geometric configuration of how the volume of stormwater runoff retained on site must be addressed. It is recommended that one or a combination of the following means for retaining stormwater runoff on site be considered:
[1] 
An earthen pond, provided that the site area topographic characteristics permit; or
[2] 
Underground storage via a pipe field which allows for full development of the area.
(e) 
Regardless of the type of on site storage ultimately determined, the design of the outfall structure conveying the stored runoff on site to the downstream drainage system must ultimately be approved by the Town and in no case shall the maximum rate of discharge exceed that as directed by the Town.
(f) 
Land subject to flooding. Land subject to flooding or land deemed by the Planning Board to be uninhabitable shall not be platted for residential occupancy, nor for such other uses as may endanger health, life or property or aggravate the flood hazard. Instead, such land within the plat shall be set aside for such uses as shall not be endangered by periodic or occasional inundation or shall be improved in a manner satisfactory to the Planning Board to remedy any such risk of periodic or occasional inundation.
(g) 
Sizing and capacity.
[1] 
All enclosed storm drains should be designed to flow full at the design storm frequency.
[2] 
Storm drainage systems shall be designed to provide adequate capacity for full upstream development when existing or proposed drainage systems are intercepted or altered. The use of the Town zoning and planning maps for reference is recommended.
[3] 
The minimum size of any storm drain within public right-of-way or easement shall be a twelve-inch diameter pipe. Twelve-inch diameter pipe may be utilized only after review and approval of the Town Engineers and Highway Superintendent.
[4] 
In all new development or construction, a closed, covered, piped, drainage system shall be constructed in the Town right-of-way. The system shall be constructed of materials and in a manner called for under Town local laws and ordinances and be of a size consistent with the Town Master Drainage study, as amended, and these specifications.
[5] 
Where infilling with new construction within an existing development where open drainage courses exist, the construction of an open drainage system, consistent with the Town Master Drainage study, shall be permitted.
(h) 
Recommended velocity. The minimum velocity of 2.5 feet per second will be used to prevent sedimentation. The maximum velocity allowed is 10 feet per second. No velocity which will cause damage by scour or erosion in the particular circumstances is permitted.
(i) 
Roughness coefficients (N-Values). Roughness coefficients for pipes and channels used in the Manning formula shall be in the ranges as recommended by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
(j) 
Manhole and inlet spacing.
[1] 
Manholes must be located at all changes in pipe grade and direction. Where connections are made to the system manholes, catch basins and inlets may also be required.
[2] 
Inlets shall be located to protect areas from ponding or ice buildups. These include low points in sidewalks, driveways and parking areas, swales and roadside ditches. Inlets shall be so constructed to prevent harm to persons or property.
[3] 
At least one catch basin will be located upstream of any free culvert outlet whenever a series of inlets and or catch basins is used in a drainage system. The above does not pertain to roadway or driveway cross culverts.
A. 
The developer shall employ competent engineering services to provide all construction layout for work done within public right-of way or easement according to the approved plans.
B. 
Line and grade for storm drain construction shall be referenced to the project horizontal and vertical control system. Cut sheets shall be provided prior to the start of construction for a particular phase of the work to the Town. The layout stakes for line and grade shall be maintained for the duration of the construction and made available for checking purposes to the Town Engineer at all times.
C. 
The permissible tolerance for storm drain pipe in place will be plus or minus 0.02 feet vertically and plus or minus 0.20 feet horizontally.
The construction of all new storm drain pipes, culverts, drainage structures, open channels and ditches shall conform to the standards of these specifications.
All excavation and related work consisting of but not limited to clearing and grubbing, temporary sheeting, dewatering, excavation for pipe and structures, excavation of rock, bedding backfill, concrete, disposal of materials, protection of existing facilities and maintenance and protection of traffic shall comply with the standards and specifications as outlined in Article III, Construction Methods and Materials, and all grading, construction and erosion control standards as outlined in Article VI, Roads, Pavement and Grading Standards of these specifications.
The Town permits the use of the following storm drain pipe in a public right-of-way or easement:
A. 
Reinforced concrete pipe (R.C.P.).
(1) 
All reinforced concrete pipe shall conform to ASTM C76, Wall Designation B as manufactured by a reputable supplier. All R.C.P. shall have rubber, O-ring joints meeting the requirements of ASTM C 443.
(2) 
All pipe will be clearly marked so as to indicate the name of the manufacturer, date of manufacture, diameter, class and wall designation.
B. 
Corrugated metal pipe (C.M.P) and pipe arches (C.M.P.A).
(1) 
Corrugated metal pipe, pipe arches and metal end sections shall be plain galvanized. All bolts and nuts shall be hot dip zinc coated and conform to the requirements of ASTM A 153. The use of heleial pipe is recommended. All C.M.P or C.M.P.A shall be of a sixteen-gauge minimum.
(2) 
Perforated corrugated metal underdrain pipe shall conform to the requirements as stated above.
(3) 
The use of PVC or steel for underdrain pipe within public right-of-way or easement is not permitted.
(4) 
The use of ends sections (concrete or metal) is recommended for all culverts or outlets.
C. 
High density smooth interior corrugated polyethylene pipe (HDPE).
(1) 
Smooth interior corrugated polyethylene pipe shall conform to NYSDOT Specifications Item 18603.97xx.
(2) 
Acceptance of this pipe will be based on the manufacturer's name appearing on the NYSDOT Material Bureau's Approved list and the manufacturer's certification of compliance with NYSDOT requirements.
(3) 
Metal end sections are required where HDPE pipe is specified. HDPE end sections are not permitted. Joints shall be made with split couplings and provide for a tight joint. The use of HDPE pipe shall be based solely upon the discretion and direction of the Town Engineer and/or Town Highway Superintendent.
A. 
Manholes.
(1) 
Size. All manholes shall be a minimum four feet in diameter. Larger diameters will be permitted where required by the configuration of pipes at the structure. Sumps in manholes are not permitted.
(2) 
Materials.
(a) 
Manhole walls shall be constructed of reinforced precast concrete in conformance with ASTM 478 or eight-inch solid concrete block, in conformance with ASTM C 139, laid in full beds of mortar. When concrete block is used, the exterior wall of the manhole will be covered with a three-fourths-inch thick parging of mortar. See standard detail.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Standard detail drawings are on file in the Town offices.
(b) 
Manhole bases shall be either reinforced precast concrete or reinforced, poured-in-place concrete, as shown in the standard detail.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Standard detail drawings are on file in the Town offices.
(c) 
Where precast manhole riser sections are used, O-ring rubberjoints conforming to ASTM C 443 with mastic compound shall be used. Waterproof grout shall be used to seal the joint from the exterior. Joints between layers of concrete block shall be 1/2 inch thick.
(d) 
Common brick may be used for adjustment of manhole casting only. Brick shall be solid clay or concrete and conform to ASTM C 32, laid in full beds of mortar. Brick shall be thoroughly wetted before installation.
(e) 
Concrete grade rights in conformance with ASTM C 478 may be used in lieu of common brick. Grade rights shall be smooth and free from cracks, wetted before installation and laid in a full bed of mortar. The exterior of the grade rings shall be covered with a three-fourths-inch thick parging of mortar.
(f) 
Manhole steps are required for a structure over three feet in depth. Steps shall be mortared in place with a concrete grout after the structure is completed. Steps shall extend out a minimum of four inches from walls and shall be placed on twelve-inch centers.
(g) 
Manhole covers and frames, inlet and catch basin frames and grates shall be Class 30 gray cast iron, conforming to the requirements of ASTM A 48. Castings shall be clean, smooth, true to pattern and of sufficient strength to support anticipated traffic loading. Manhole covers will be inscribed as shown on the standard detail.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Standard detail drawings are on file in the Town offices.
(h) 
After adjustment to final grade and set level, castings will be set in a full bed of mortar consisting of one part portland cement to four parts sand by volume. Castings will be well covered and anchored with mortar to resist traffic. All interior surfaces will be tooled smooth with any excess mortar removed.
B. 
Special structures.
(1) 
When standard manholes, catch basins or inlet structures cannot be adapted to a particular alignment or grade situation, the use of special structures for drainage will be permitted.
(2) 
Standards for materials to be used in any special structure shall comply with all articles of these specifications. The developer, as part of the complete engineering plans for the project, must submit detailed construction drawings and shop drawings for all fabrication and installation to be used for construction of the special structure. The Town will not approve any portion of the drainage plans until all shop drawings have been submitted, reviewed and approved by the Town. The developer shall submit samples at his or her expense when requested by the Town for testing.
(3) 
The approval of the shop drawings by the Town does not release the developer from the responsibility for any omissions or methods by which the structure is constructed in relation to the approved plans.
A. 
Locations. Catch basins and inlets shall be located as stated in § 135-49E
B. 
Sizes.
(1) 
Each catch basin shall be a minimum of two feet in diameter or two feet square with a minimum one-foot deep sump.
(2) 
Each inlet shall be a minimum two feet in diameter or two feet square.
C. 
Materials.
(1) 
Materials used for the construction of catch basins and inlets shall consist only of the following materials:
(a) 
Concrete Brick.
(b) 
Concrete Block.
(c) 
Reinforced Concrete.
(d) 
Precast Reinforced Concrete Units.
(2) 
All concrete shall be Class A concrete (3,500 psi).
(3) 
Catch basin and inlet castings and any installation procedures shall conform to the requirements as stated in § 135-55. Grates for the above shall be heavy duty and allow the maximum open area. The use of beehive covers is recommended for inlets in swales or ditches.
A. 
Open channels for drainage will be allowed only when an existing bona fide watercourse or existing drainage channel is intercepted or relocated as part of a proposed project.
B. 
All open channel construction not located within public right-of-way shall be located within a permanent drainage easement, granted to the Town of Niagara, prior to final approval of the drainage plan by the Town.
The design criteria for the configuration and construction of open channels shall be in accordance with Chapter V of Open Channel Design Criteria, Storm Drainage Design Manual, Erie and Niagara Counties Regional Planning Board, July 1972 (reprinted June 1977).
A. 
Capacity. The minimum capacity of the channel should confine the peak flow based on a ten-year storm.
B. 
Maximum velocities. The maximum velocity permitted in open channels shall not exceed five feet per second.
C. 
Minimum velocity. The minimum velocity shall be at least two feet per second as to prevent deposit of any sediment in the channel.
D. 
Depth of flow. The channel shall be designed to permit a peak flow which will have a maximum depth of flow which is at least two feet below the lowest top of the bank along any portion of the proposed new channel.
E. 
Slope grades. As set out in § 135-87, Grading standards.
F. 
Slope construction.
(1) 
All sideslopes and bottom of any newly constructed open channel shall be seeded or sodded and vigorous growth shall be established before the entire new open channel construction is approved by the Town.
(2) 
Riprap of the sideslopes will be required where changes in alignment in the centerline of the new channel is less than a one-hundred-foot radius of curvature. Riprap shall be sized and constructed as follows:
(a) 
Minimum six-inch diameter stone shall be used.
(b) 
All stone riprap less than 12 inches in diameter shall be grouted in place.
(c) 
All new rip-rap shall be permanently anchored at both the channel invert and to the sideslope near the top of the riprap section.
(d) 
Riprap shall extend to within two feet of the top of the bank of the channel.
A. 
The developer shall be responsible for control of erosion over the entire project site for the duration of the proposed new construction. See § 135-89, Erosion control.
B. 
At the request of the Town of Niagara, the developer shall construct and maintain erosion control measures, approved by the Town, at the downstream end of the proposed new construction to prevent damage to downstream properties when new construction directly affects existing watercourses or drainage ditches.
Whether covered or uncovered, channels for drainage purposes will be located on permanent easements to the Town of Niagara on a channel or course of not less than 20 feet wide.