Town of Milford Stormwater
Stormwater runoff collects many types of substances including oils, fertilizers, chemicals, waste and sand & grit, containing hazards that may discharge directly into our local bodies of water or infiltrate into the ground and pollute our groundwater supply. Unlike wastewater, stormwater usually gets minimal treatment before it is discharged. This has a negative effect on the general water quality of our natural resources to the detriment of recreational activities, fisheries & aquaculture, wildlife and our water supply.
Background
In an attempt to regulate the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States, the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program was created as part of the Clean Water Act. The program gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate discharges into the nation's waters by setting limits on the effluent that can be introduced into a body of water from an operating and permitted facility.
Starting in 1990, the EPA began requiring certain Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) operators to obtain discharge permits under Phase I of the NPDES Program as a means to regulate discharges from municipal sources. These municipal sources are made up of a stormwater network (catch basins, drainage manholes, pipes, outfalls, etc.) used to collect, transport, and dispose of stormwater by municipalities. The original MS4s were large cities and counties with populations of 100,000 or more but soon after, the EPA also started requiring small MS4s, such as the Town of Milford, to obtain a discharge permit under Phase II of the NPDES Program.
MS4 Program Information
The NPDES Phase II Stormwater Permit requires owners/operators of Small MS4s to “develop, implement and enforce a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)” that addresses discharges from their system by focusing on the following areas, which they refer to as the six “minimum control measures:”
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Control Runoff
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping (for Municipal Operations)
Stormwater Management Regulations
In order to comply with the requirements of the EPA's MS4 General Permit and protect the water quality of our surface and groundwaters, the Town of Milford adopted a Stormwater Management General By-Law in 2005. This by-law is in alignment with the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook and its Stormwater Standards and applies to runoff created by industrial, commercial, institutional, office, residential and transportation project activities.
Objectives and Activities
The EPA, as the regulatory agency for Massachusetts MS4s, has established a multi-year approach for owners/operators to achieve the requirements of the NPDES Phase II Permit. The Town of Milford filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the EPA for coverage under the Small MS4 General Permit issued for Massachusetts and were granted authorization to discharge in accordance with the conditions of said permit.
The next steps will involve the development and implementation of a variety of policies and activities, related to the six minimum control measures, to enhance and protect the water quality of our Town.