The DEEP Water Permitting and Enforcement Division has guidelines to assist municipal officials in managing the use and/or disposal of street sweepings and catch basin cleanings. Sweeping streets and cleaning catch basins to remove accumulated sediments, trash, and debris reduces the amount of pollutants entering Connecticut's wetlands and watercourses. Regularly cleaning catch basins also reduces the threat of local flooding.  In fact, addressing Best Management Practices (BMPs) for street sweeping residuals is a necessary part of the stormwater management plan required by the DEEP's General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 Stormwater Permit).  Approximately 130 municipalities are required to obtain the MS4 Stormwater Permit.  Further, municipalities that collect street sweepings or clean out catch basins must keep in mind that the debris they collect may not be considered clean fill.  Therefore, if a municipality uses debris collected from street sweepings or catch basin cleanings in a manner that is not consistent with these guidelines, the municipality may inadvertently incur environmental liability. Following the recommended guidelines should help prevent pollution and sedimentation of wetlands and watercourses.  For questions regarding stormwater BMPs contact the DEEP's Water Permitting and Enforcement Division at (860) 424-3018.