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City of Melrose |
| Stormwater Plan |
City of Melrose Stormwater Plan
The City of Melrose has developed a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan to comply with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater regulations. These regulations, under the Clean Water Act, require small municipalities in urbanized areas to obtain a permit from EPA. The City of Melrose is located within an Urbanized Area, and, as such, was required to apply for NPDES stormwater permit. The City submitted its application in July, 2003. By applying for a permit, the City has agreed to develop, implement, and enforce a stormwater management program (SWMP) designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.
Our Stormwater Management Plan is intended to protect the City’s water bodies and groundwater, safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare, as well as protect the environment. Ell Pond and other water bodies in Melrose are vulnerable to the impacts from contaminated stormwater runoff. The Stormwater Management Plan describes “best management practices” that the City will implement to meet the requirements of its NPDES permit. The plan’s goals are to reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff to surface waters through a comprehensive program of improvement projects, resource protection, and public awareness and involvement.
There are six elements to the City’s Stormwater Management Program, which are to be implemented over the next few years. These are discussed below:
Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts: The City must, at a minimum, plan and conduct an ongoing public education and outreach program designed to describe the impacts of stormwater discharges on waterbodies, and how the pollutants found in the stormwater can be reduced. The web-site is a part of the Town’s education and outreach program.
Public Involvement/Participation: The City is developing a storm drain stenciling program to place a “do not dump” message near City catch basins. If you are interested in participating, please call the DPW office.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: The City has a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into the storm sewer system. An illicit discharge is any discharge to a storm sewer system, such as a catch basin or swale, which is not composed entirely of stormwater, and which is a significant contributor of pollutants. A sanitary sewer connection to a storm drain is considered an illicit connection.
Construction Site Runoff Control: The DPW routinely observes construction sites within Town to ensure that proper erosion and sediment control techniques are employed to reduce downstream pollution.
Post Construction Runoff Control: The DPW routinely reviews public filings (Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and Zoning Board), to ensure that adequate stormwater controls are provided in new developments to minimize the discharge of pollutants and potential flooding impacts.
Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping: The DPW performs street sweeping and cleaning of catch basins to reduce sediment in the drainage system and prevent localized flooding.
View our Stormwater Flyer: