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.

What is stormwater? 

Stormwater is excess rain that does not soak into the ground.  You can see it in the gutter of the street during a rain storm.  In densely developed areas, like Melrose, stormwater is typically collected in catch basins and manholes and then piped downstream. 

 

Runoff collects in the gutter of Main Street and flows into a catch basin on a rainy day.

Unlike our household plumbing, catch basins and storm drains do not go to the sewage treatment plant.  Instead, the pipes flow directly into wetlands, ponds, and rivers, without being treated.  As it flows through our yards and streets, stormwater can collect pollutants that can harm human health and our fragile ecosystems.  Examples of pollutants that stormwater can transport include:  fertilizers containing harmful nutrients, oil, grease, viruses, bacteria, toxic metals, sediment, and salts. Stormwater, if not properly managed, can be very damaging to our waterbodies.  Local ponds, like Ell Pond and Swains Pond, receive much of their water from stormwater.  But, the effects of stormwater reach farther than just polluting the waters.  As many residents have experienced, stormwater can cause flooding, degradation of habitats, sewage backups, and erosion.

How you can help 

NEVER pour or sweep ANYTHING down a storm drain!

This includes:

Don’t block storm drains with refuse or debris!!!

Remember, stormwater flows into catch basins and storm drains so that roads an property won’t be damaged.  Storm drains are underground pipes that channel stormwater directly to a nearby water body, without any treatment or cleansing.Make sure all sewer plumbing in your house, including floor drains and laundry wastewater, is tied into the City’s sanitary sewer system, and not a storm drain.  If you suspect you may have a connection to the storm drain, contact DPW for assistance.

Car Care Tips:

• Maintain your car to prevent fluid leaks
• Recycle motor oil, antifreeze, tires, and batteries
• Use a commercial carwash that treats and/or recycles the wash water
• If you wash your car at home, wash it on the lawn so that the water can seep into the soil, and use low-phosphate detergents in small amounts.
• Clean up spills immediately with kitty litter or sawdust to absorb the spill.  Remember to pick up and dispose of this material properly.

Lawn care and garden tips:

• Use fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides sparingly.  
• Make sure to store them in tightly closed containers
• Try organic lawn care methods
• Mow 2 to 3 inches high to encourage dense growth and deter weeds
• Mulch lawn clippings and leaves
• Water lightly and frequently to reduce the potential for disease and insect damage.  A 15 to 20 minute watering during dry weather after sunset or before sunrise is usually sufficient.
• Reduce lawn size in favor of rock gardens or natural vegetationCover soil piles with tarps and replant bare areas to stop erosion

Other ways you can help:

• Pick up after your pet and dispose of droppings in the trash.  
• Do not put droppings in the catch basins!
• Aim your roof downspouts away from paved surfaces or into a rain barrel
• Dispose of paint, oil, and other household chemicals at the City’s household hazardous waste day
• Coordinate a storm drain stenciling day in your neighborhood
• Volunteer with a local environmental group