Water Pollution Prevention Field Guide

Posted on December 18, 2025 by Katherine Iwanski

Spotting the signs of water pollution can make a big difference, and it starts with knowing what to look for. As 2026 approaches, it’s a great time to refresh our awareness around water pollution. One key area to focus on is recognizing and reporting anything that might be an illicit discharge. To help with this, the Environmental Management Office (EMO) has developed a Water Pollution Prevention Field Guide. This resource is designed to help all personnel spot potential issues and know what steps to take if something doesn’t look right.

Please share the field guide with any coworkers who may benefit from it. Physical copies of the guide can be requested from EMO by emailing Kattie Iwanski.

Water-Pollution-Field-GuideDownload

Love the outreach above? Have ideas for the next one?

EMO is seeking feedback on our Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program Plan and stormwater-related outreach efforts.

If you have any ideas on:

• Which outreach methods are most effective for you,

(Inside Langley announcements, mass emails, training sessions, posters, flyers, etc.)

• What types of messages you would like to receive, or

(local water quality issues, stormwater pollution basics, stormwater impacts, etc.)

• What our future outreach priorities should be

Please email Ande Remington or Kattie Iwanski with any feedback.

You can read the 2025-2026 MS4 Program Plan by visiting the NASA Langley Water MS4 public webpage, which offers more detailed information about the Center’s Water Quality Program.

Thank you in advance for your ideas and suggestions!  

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Langley Form 461 – Environmental Project Planning Form

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Katherine Iwanski

Are you considering starting a new project, installing equipment, or modifying existing processes/equipment on Center? Before moving forward, review the guidance provided in the flyer below.

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The Chesapeake Bay

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Katherine Iwanski

NASA Langley is located along the Back River, which flows directly into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, stretches approximately 200 miles from Maryland to Norfolk, Virginia. It is a vital ecological and economic resource but has suffered from significant environmental degradation due to excess nutrients and sediment from various sources such as agricultural operations, urban and suburban stormwater, wastewater, and airborne contaminants.

This quarter’s water quality article discusses the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The TMDL identifies the overall amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment that can be present in the Chesapeake Bay to maintain water quality standards.

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Reducing Urban Wildlife Pollutants: Back River TMDL

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Katherine Iwanski

NASA Langley’s untreated stormwater flows directly into the Back River, then into the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, making LaRC a crucial partner in preserving water quality. The Back River is classified as “impaired” due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria.

This quarter’s water quality article outlines recommended actions to address local impacts to safeguard public health and ensure the long-term health of this river and its connected waterways and communities.

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Protecting Our Waters: Floor Drain Management at LaRC

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Katherine Iwanski

Floor drains at LaRC discharge to the sanitary sewer and stormwater system (in our older facilities). Management of chemicals around our floor drains is essential to protecting our public waters.

This quarter’s water quality article provides some tips on how to manage our facilities around floor drains.

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Chesapeake Bay Action Plan – Phase III

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Tonya Kiefer

The Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requires NASA LaRC to develop a Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan that is submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

What is the Action Plan?

The Chesapeake Bay is listed as impaired due to excess amounts of sediment and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). Federal Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) operators, like other MS4s, are given three full permit cycles (15 years total) to achieve the necessary reductions. For more information on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Program, and why it is important to the Bay’s health, please click here.

In the Chesapeake Bay Action Plan, LaRC provides an overview of several management practices and retrofit programs that will be implemented to achieve the reduction of the aforementioned pollutants. Specifically, in the Phase III of this Action Plan, LaRC outlines the practices that are to be implemented from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2028 to achieve the remaining reductions for existing sources.

Click here to read LaRC’s Chesapeake Bay Action Plan – Phase III, where you’ll find more detailed information on reductions required, how LaRC achieved reductions during the previous permit cycles, and what LaRC has in store for the future!

If you have comments on the Action Plan, please contact the LaRC Water Program Manager, Sarat Calamur, at extension 4-4791 or sarat.c.calamur@nasa.gov.

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Construction and Maintenance Best Management Pratices

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Katherine Iwanski

The proper use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) is essential for safeguarding LaRC’s stormwater system. BMPs, including erosion control measures, help keep sediment on-site and protect our waterways. 

This quarter’s water quality article details common BMPs used on construction and maintenance projects across the Center, along with potential issues and practical tips for preventing or addressing them.

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Reducing Pollutants in Local Waterways: Chesapeake Bay and Back River TMDLS

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Katherine Iwanski

NASA Langley’s Environmental Management Office (EMO) provides educational materials to inform NASA personnel on ways to protect our local waterways.

NASA Langley is located along the Back River which flows directly into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. To help improve the health of the bay and its contributing water bodies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established “pollution diets”, commonly known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), to preserve water quality and reduce pollutants. NASA Langley is subject to these TMDLs.

This quarter’s water quality article provides details about the Chesapeake Bay and Back River TMDLs, steps NASA Langley takes water quality, and how you can help meet TMDL goals at home.

NASA Langley’s employees are important in keeping our local waterways clean!

PS – Do you have a stormwater topic you’d like to learn more about? Feel free to submit ideas to the Water Quality Team.

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Facilities and Equipment Awareness

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Katherine Iwanski

NASA Langley’s Environmental Management Office (EMO) continuously informs personnel about the various forms of stormwater connections on Center.

This quarter’s stormwater article provides information about preventing pollution, or illicit discharges, by providing operational procedures and best management practices for day-to-day activities.

It is important to have situational awareness of the equipment and processes in and around our facilities that utilize water and recognize if they are draining to a stormwater connection.

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Preventing Stormwater Contamination

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Katherine Iwanski

NASA Langley’s Environmental Management Office (EMO) works hard to prevent illicit discharge from entering the local waterways.  

This quarter’s stormwater article provides steps to prevent stormwater contamination through avoiding equipment spills and leaks.  

This is important because untreated stormwater is channeled into local waterways through a network of pipes, drains, and inlets. Given the untreated nature of stormwater, this can result in the direct transport of contaminants like oil, oily debris, wastewater, chemicals, and any discarded trash or debris near these entry points. Consequently, these discharges can pollute ecosystems and create hazardous conditions for both humans and wildlife. 

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