New Stormwater Permit Designed to Enhance Water Quality in Eastern Massachusetts

(Boston, Mass, - Jan. 27, 2010) - Pollution control measures contained in a outline Clean Water permit would help control excessive pollution from stormwater runoff from 84 communities in Eastern Massachusetts.

The new outline permit, known as the "North Coastal Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit," would require communities to continue to build upon stormwater management programs designed to reduce pollutants discharged from municipal storm drains to rivers, lakes and bays which they started in the previous permit issued in 2003.

Stormwater pollution is a leading cause of surface water quality impairments in Massachusetts, due to elevated levels of nutrients, disease-causing bacteria and other pollutants. The outline permit for the 84 communities is designed specifically to reduce elevated levels of phosphorus in the Charles River, and pathogens in the Charles River, Neponset River and the Shawsheen River. When finalized, the permit will apply to communities in a geographic area north to Newbury and Gloucester, west to Wilmington and south to Weymouth. A complete list of communities is below.

In this outline permit, E.P.A. has applied the success and knowledge of the past 6 years of effort by these cities and towns to address a significant source of water pollution. The suggested permit includes "best management practices" such as removing illegal sewage connections to storm drains, street sweeping, public education and steps to expand the infiltration of stormwater rather than diverting stormwater into sewer systems. These measures will help prevent water pollution caused by stormwater in Massachusetts.

"Our work to revise this permit will have tangible benefits for these communities and our environment. Controlling pollution from stormwater will mean fewer days that beaches and shellfish beds are closed due to high bacteria levels, and a healthier environment for everybody to enjoy," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator for EPA's New England office. "We want to make sure that today's investments provide good returns for a cleaner, healthier environment and vibrant communities."

This regional Small Municipal General Permit will cover publicly owned storm water systems in urban areas, mostly located in the northeast portion of the Commonwealth. The region covered includes the watersheds of the Charles River, Neponset River and the Shawsheen River, all of which have been the subject of previously approved targeted watershed projects designed to restore these rivers to acceptable state water quality standards.

The new outline permit also follows similar outline municipal stormwater permits for urban areas in New Hampshire. In the coming months, E.P.A. expects to release outline permits covering the remaining urbanized areas of Massachusetts, including watersheds in the southeast coastal area of Massachusetts, the greater Merrimack River watershed, and in watersheds contributing to Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay.

To enhance the effectiveness of stormwater management programs and reduce the adverse effects of stormwater runoff on surface waters, the suggested permit includes enhanced detection of illegal discharges and requirements to identify, isolate and remove sanitary and other wastes from the stormwater system. The outline permit also includes measures to encourage low impact development and green infrastructure techniques, requirements for monitoring of stormwater discharges, and measures to implement approved watershed restoration projects called total maximum daily loads or TMDLs.

Susan Beede, Policy Director for the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance said, "Stormwater is the biggest polluter of rivers and streams in Massachusetts. It carries pollutants to waterways and damages habitat for fish and other aquatic life, particularly in urban areas. Yet stormwater is also a valuable resource - it's rainwater - that we need to treat and infiltrate into the ground to replenish ground water supplies. We hope that EPA's suggested permit will significantly enhance stormwater treatment and increase stormwater recharge."

A requirement of the federal Clean Water Act is that these permits are reevaluated every 5 years to ensure that they continue to protect waters and the environment. The previous permit was issued in 2003.

E.P.A. is seeking public review and review on the outline MS4 permit until March 31, 2010. E.P.A. will also hold a public meeting and hearing on the outline permit on March 18 at 9:00 a.m. in the Thomas P. O' Neill Federal Building, ten Causeway Street, Boston Massachusetts Following consideration of public comments, a final permit should be accessible later in 2010.

More information: Outline North Coastal Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit (www.epa.gov/region01/npdes/stormwater)

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