STORMWATER
Storrrrwater in New England
FACING PROBLEMS
What we're doing at EPA
Regulating stormwater pollution
U.S. EPA | STORMWATER OUTREACH AT EPA NEW ENGLAND
STORMWATER is a leading cause of poor water quality. Rain or
metted snow runs down driveways, sidewalks and streets carrying oil, din
and other pollutants into nearby waterways. Polluted runoff, which can
cause erosion and flooding, runs into waterways and degrades plants, fish,
shellfish and other wildlife. In water used for recreation, the runoff can
lead to illness, and people who eat contaminated fish can also become sick.
Untreated stormwater can also contaminate drinking water sources.
INTRO:
The dean Water Act, originally signed into law in 1972, protects bodies of waters used for swimming, fishing, boating,
drinking water or wildlife habitat. With certain exceptions, this law requires permits for discharges to these waterways.
These permits may control stormwater as well as other discharges of pollutants. Failure to control stormwater
discharges can lead to fines or orders to comply with the Clean Water Art.
TO MANAGE STORMWATER
AT EPA WE ARE:
Issuing perm its to control discharges through the
NPDES program — The Clean Water Act prohibits
the discharge of any pollutant to a body of water
of the United States without a National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Under
the Clean Water Act, EPA and most states regulate
industrial, construction and municipal discharges of
stormwater by issuing NPDES permits. These permits
have led to great improvements in the quality of New
England's water and the health of our aquatic ecosys-
tems. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, EPA New
England issues the permits and enforces the law. In
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine, EPA
has authorized the state to issue and enforce permits
and also enforces permits.
• Permit conditions: Stormwater permits contain
conditions to meet a variety of technology require-
ments as well as to meet the state water quality stan-
dards designed to protect the health of the receiving
waters. These conditions are typically expressed in
terms of best management practices (BMPs).
* Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4s) permits;
If your town or city is in an urbanized area, it may
have been issued a NPDES permit to regulate storm-
water discharges from its storm sewer system. These
permits are often referred to as "MS4 permits."
MS4 permits can be used to regulate discharges of
stormwater from municipal operations, such as road
construction and maintenance, or activities associated
with development or redevelopment. The permits are
used to require certain practices that are considered
best for reducing the discharge of pollutants as much
as possible and for protecting water quality. If you are
a municipality, an industry or developer, you may be
subject to regulation under a federal or state storm-
water permit. Make sure you are aware of, and comply
with all applicable regulations. For more information,
refer to http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/
swbasicinfo.cfm
Caring for our coastline — The Coastal Nonpoint
Source Pollution Control Program addresses pollution
problems in oceans. It requires communities in certain
coastal areas to establish runoff programs.
Fining violators — Dischargers that fail to comply with
regulations for stormwater can face fines. Levying
fines and issuing orders to those who violate storm-
water laws are important tools that EPA may use to
minimize pollutants in stormwater and to protect our
environment.
KEY CONTACT:
RAY CODY
EPA New England
Regional Stormwater Coordinator
(617) 918-1366
cody. ray@epa.gov
GENERAL INFO:
EPA NEW ENGLAND
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912
(617) 918-1111
www. epa.gov/region1/
EPA TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-888-EPA-7341
LEARN MORE ATt
www. epa.gov/region1/
topics/water/sto rmwater. html
United States
Environmental Protection
lAgsncy
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EPA-901-F-10-002
November 2010
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