Education & Public Outreach
Storm Water Facts
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is water which runs off impevious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways and roadways during and after a storm. This water enters into the Municipal Seperate Storm Sewer System (MS4) which utlimately ends up in the Waters of the Commonwealth.
Why Should I care about Stormwater?
If proper stormwater management isn't practiced, pollutants such as dog waste, fertilizer, trash and motor vehicle fluids can be picked up by stormwater and carried into wetlands, waterbodies and into the groundwater. This water is used everyday for drinking, bathing, cooking, fishing and swimming.
Health and Safety
Stormwater can have high levels of bacteria from organic waste or toxic chemicals. Physical trash can even enter the water system, including sharp objects or dangerous syringes. Stormwater drains into the ocean without treatment. For this reason, beach visitors, especially young children need to be careful and avoid any pipes that appear to open into the sea.
More importantly, residents should do their part to keep stormwater clean. This means not disposing of pet waste or other pollutants into the drains found on our streets and making smart choices about what is used to treat our lawns. Because of these potential health consequences, disposal of such materials into the stormwater system is subject to fines.
Good Stormwater Management Practices:
- Minimize fertillzer use
- Pick up after pets
- Wash you car at a car wash
- Keep you car well maintanied to prevent leaks
- Never put anything down a storm drain and clean debris away from storm drains so they can function as designed
Benefits of Proper Stormwater Management:
- Protects fish and wildlife
- Minimizes eutrophication
- Protects human health
- Lowers cost of treating water for human comsumption
- Increased property values near bodies of water
- Protects recreational waters such as lakes and oceans
Helpful Links:
- https://greenscapes.org/
- https://www.mass.gov/service-details/stormwater
- https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/massachusetts-npdes-permits
- https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources
Educational Materials:
- Scoop it! Clean up After Your Pet
- Rain Gardens
- Dwayne the Storm Drain
- Freddy the Fish Teaches About Stormwater
- Greenscapes Guide: Landscaping Practices that Protect our Families, Water and Wildlife
- Rain and Snow are Clean, Right?
- Storm Drains and Oceans