Billerica has been regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permits for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in Massachusetts since 2003. The most recent General Permit went into effect in 2018 and regulates the discharge of stormwater runoff that is transported through municipal drainage systems into local waterbodies.
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is the runoff water from rain and snowmelt and has been identified by the EPA as the number one contributor to overland pollution of our streams, ponds, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Stormwater enters storm drains from paved or impervious surfaces, such as roads, parking lots, driveways, and rooftops, and underground pipes channel the flow directly to the closest waterbody, usually with little or no treatment. This contributes large amounts of polluted stormwater to waterways, including the Concord River, the Shawsheen River, Nutting Lake, and Winning Pond, as well as wetland resource areas. Keeping stormwater clean not only benefits our neighborhood and community, it benefits the entire network of waterbodies and land that make up our watershed.
Billerica has been regulated by the EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permits for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in Massachusetts since 2003. The most recent General Permit went into effect in 2018 and regulates the discharge of stormwater runoff that is transported through municipal drainage systems into local waterbodies. The General Permit includes six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs):
- MCM 1: Public Education and Outreach
- MCM 2: Public Involvement and Participation
- MCM 3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program
- MCM 4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
- MCM 5: Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New and Redevelopment
- MCM 6: Municipal Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention
The Town of Billerica must implement specific policies and procedures for each MCM to help reduce pollution in local waterbodies. The Town has developed a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) that describes the Town’s status of compliance with the General Permit requirements, a summary of waterbodies within Town that receive stormwater discharges, and best management practices (BMPs) the Town will implement to address the six MCMs. Billerica’s SWMP and other stormwater management documents are available on the Documentation webpage. This document summarizes additional ongoing stormwater management activities in Billerica.
The Town’s Annual Reports under the General Permit must be submitted to EPA and MassDEP by September 28th each year. They summarize the stormwater management activities completed by the Town between July 1st and June 30th. A copy of the most recent report is available for viewing here or on the Documentation webpage. All Annual Reports will be posted by the EPA at their webpage of regulated communities. EPA also maintains an archive of the Annual Reports from 2003 to 2018.
The following is a description of Billerica’s stormwater management efforts under each minimum control measure.
MCM 1: Public Education and Outreach
Billerica has a public education program that extends to multiple audiences, including residents, businesses, schools, developers, and industry. The Town posts information about stormwater management, pollution prevention, and other best practices online and at public meetings, in the Town’s annual drinking water quality report, and at municipal buildings.
The Stormwater Management webpage contains extensive information on the Town’s stormwater program including links to the Town’s stormwater bylaws and regulations, SWMP, educational topics regarding illicit discharges to the storm drain network and pollution prevention (including proper lawn care, pet waste management, and automobile maintenance), and other stormwater-related documents. Additional stormwater-related messages are also provided on the Public Education and FAQs webpage.
MCM 2: Public Involvement and Participation
The Town provides opportunities for residents and the public to participate in and provide feedback on the stormwater program. In addition to public board and committee meetings where stormwater topics are discussed, Billerica DPW holds multiple household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off events and waste oil drop-off days to help residents properly dispose of waste. See the Current Work webpage for more information on public engagement events.
Billerica hosts an annual “Clean Up, Green Up” event where hundreds of volunteers help clean up curbside debris throughout Town and the DPW collects and disposes of the trash. OARS, a local organization whose mission is to protect, improve and preserve the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers and their watersheds, holds annual river cleanups along the Concord River, where volunteers help remove trash and debris from the watershed. The Town’s yard waste collection program in the spring and fall also helps protect local waters by reducing the amount of leaves and branches dumped into streams, wetlands, and tributaries to the Concord River and Shawsheen River.
Billerica partners with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project to restore and maintain wetlands, streams, roadside ditches, and culverts. Efforts also included insertion of larvicides into Town catch basins.
MCM 3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program
A written IDDE Plan has been developed to summarize the ongoing IDDE Program, as required by the General Permit. Article XXVI of the Town’s General By-laws, “Discharges to the Municipal Storm Sewer System,” was adopted in 2007 to regulate illegal discharges, connections, and dumping to the Town’s drainage system. More information about this bylaw can be found at the Town’s Stormwater Bylaws webpage.
The Town has completed inspections of Town-owned outfalls, storm drains, and drain manholes as part of the IDDE Program implementation. An online map of the drainage system is maintained, which is used during IDDE field work and to track progress of the IDDE and municipal good housekeeping programs.
MCM 4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control &
MCM 5: Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New and Redevelopment
Article XXV of the Town’s General By-laws, “Stormwater Management By-Law,” was adopted in 2007 to regulate construction site and post-construction runoff for activities impacting an acre or more. Associated Stormwater Management Regulations were adopted by the Board of Health in 2010 and updated in 2022 to meet the General Permit requirements for construction and post-construction stormwater management. More information about this bylaw can be found at the Town’s Stormwater Bylaws webpage.
MCM 6: Municipal Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention
Billerica’s routine municipal operations, including street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, drainage system maintenance, winter snow removal, and maintenance of Town-owned properties, facilities, and equipment, help keep pollution out of local rivers and ponds. The amount of sediment removed from catch basins and during street sweeping is monitored as those activities take place. A site-specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan has also been developed for the DPW Garage to ensure municipal operations at the Garage do not contribute to stormwater pollution.
Additionally, the Town is a member of the Northern Middlesex Stormwater Collaborative (NMSC) run by the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG), whose goal is to effectively manage stormwater and improve water quality, while engaging in resource sharing among towns in the Northern Middlesex region of MA. NMSC’s website has great stormwater management information for residents, businesses, teachers, and kids. NMSC also participates in the Think Blue Massachusetts educational advertisement campaign, which published a “Fowl Water” video on social media to educate the public about stormwater runoff and pollution.
Remember, stormwater is not treated at the wastewater treatment plant. Any pollution that is washed into the storm drain ends up in Billerica’s lakes and streams!
At the 2007 Annual Fall Town Meeting, the town voted to adopt the two proposed stormwater bylaws; Article XXV – Stormwater Management Bylaw, and Article XXVI – Bylaw Governing Discharges to MS4. Here is a summary of these new local laws and what they mean to you.
Bylaw Governing Discharges to the Municipal Storm Drain
This bylaw makes it illegal to put pollution such as pet waste, water from laundry, motor oil, antifreeze and other chemicals, paint, leaves, soapy water, and litter / trash into the storm drain or into water bodies.
This bylaw helps the town protect the health and safety of our residents, provide cleaner water for drinking and recreation, and preserve the aesthetic value of the community.
Allowed Activities
Most everyday activities are still allowed. These activities include landscaping irrigation, lawn watering, individual residential car washing, and draining de-chlorinated swimming pools. It is even acceptable for your sump pump to discharge uncontaminated groundwater to the storm drain (but not to the sanitary sewer).
Remember, stormwater is not treated at the wastewater treatment plant. Any pollution that is washed into the storm drain ends up in Billerica’s lakes and streams!
If you suspect someone is putting pollution into the storm drain system or into water bodies, call the Billerica Board of Health at 978-671-0931.
Stormwater Management Bylaw
Land development and land use conversion often transform the natural landscape from forests and fields into areas of impervious cover, permanently altering the natural cycling of water and increasing stormwater runoff and the potential for sand, oil, and other pollution to flow to rivers, streams, and lakes.
Impervious areas are hard surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, streets, and parking lots. Increased runoff often increases flooding, stream channel erosion, and sediment transport, and decreases groundwater recharge.
Impacts & Effects on the Environment
The impacts of construction site and post-development stormwater runoff can adversely affect public safety, public and private property, surface water, drinking water supplies, groundwater resources, recreation, aquatic habitats, and other uses of lands and water bodies.
Many of these negative effects can be controlled through careful site planning and the application of both structural and nonstructural stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Regulations
The Stormwater Management Bylaw regulates post-construction stormwater runoff for both new and redevelopment projects, erosion and sediment control, and stormwater runoff for construction sites. This bylaw and the associated Board of Health Rules & Regulations minimize damage to public and private property and infrastructure, safeguard public health and safety, and protect water and aquatic resources and the environment.
The updated Regulations are not intended to limit new development projects, rather, they set clear stormwater management goals, standards, and design criteria to reduce the negative impacts of development and construction projects. The Regulations are available on the Board of Health webpage.
Throughout the 400 square mile watershed that supplies the Town of Billerica, many pollutants are routinely discharged into the environment through our roadway network and stormwater drainage system. Keeping the roadways and drainage system free from contaminants is a necessary step in protecting our water supply. Find out what you can do here.
Lawn Care, Yard Waste, & Leaf Litter
Lawns can contribute stormwater pollutants through fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Steps that homeowners can take to reduce stormwater pollution from lawns include:
- Use fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides sparingly
- Try using organic lawn care methods
- Mow 2 to 3 inches high to encourage dense growth and deter weeds
- Mulch lawn clippings and leaves
- Do not over-water your lawn
- Reduce lawn size by planting rock gardens, shrubs, and trees
- Replant bare areas to stop erosion
- Maintain native vegetation along streams and lakefronts
Grass clippings and leaves decompose and release phosphorus. To prevent increased levels in waterbodies (which cause fish kills and algae blooms), bag your grass clippings and leaf piles for curbside pickup.
Fact Sheets
Billerica’s Yard Waste & Hazardous Waste Programs
Don’t Trash the Grass
Zero-Phosphorus Fertilizer
Fertilizing the Lawn
More information from MassDEP
More information from UMass Amherst
Leaf Litter
Billerica’s Trash & Recycling Programs
Pet Waste
Pet waste contains bacteria and parasites which can pollute our waterways if left out when it rains. Regularly pick up after your dog in public areas and your backyard before it washes into our waterways! Every time you walk your dog, bring a bag to pick up pet waste and dispose of it in a trash can. Never toss down a storm drain!
Fact Sheets
Pet Waste
Automobiles
Cars can pollute stormwater with gas, oil, antifreeze, metals, and detergents. Steps that car owners can take to reduce stormwater pollution from cars include:
- Keep your car well maintained to prevent fluid leaks
- Recycle motor oil, antifreeze, tires, and batteries
- Use a commercial carwash or wash your car on the lawn using small amounts of low-phosphate detergents
Septic Systems
Septic systems may leak and pollute local waterways if not properly maintained. In extreme cases, your septic system could back up into your home. Take proper care to regularly maintain your systems to prevent these problems.
Fact Sheets
Septic System Maintenance
More information from EPA
Snow & Ice Management
Snow melt carries deicers into waterways. To help reduce the stormwater pollution during the winter:
- Store chemicals in a dry place
- Apply sparingly
- Read the labels to choose those that are not toxic to plants or animals
Fact Sheets
MassDEP Road Salt Storage
Snow and Ice Management Strategies
DCR Salt Smarter
Businesses, Commercial Facilities, Institutions, and Industrial Facilities
Businesses, commercial facilities, and institutions can play their part in protecting stormwater from pollution. See the fact sheets for tips on waste disposal and spill prevention.
Fact Sheets
Proper Waste Disposal
Billerica’s Trash & Recycling Program
Industrial Spill Prevention
Developers and Contractors
Developers and contractors should pay special attention to erosion and sedimentation controls. See the fact sheets for tips.
Be sure to review the Town’s Stormwater Bylaws webpage for construction site and post-construction requirements specific to Billerica.
Fact Sheets
Construction Stormwater Tips
Pollution Prevention for Small Construction Sites
A Community Guide to Growing Greener
Construction Site Tips
Additional Tips
Other tips to help clean up stormwater include:
- Aim roof downspouts away from paved surfaces or into a rain
- Don’t litter – instead recycle paper, cardboard, cans, plastic and glass
- Start stream teams to help care for neighborhood streams
- Coordinate neighborhood storm drain marking activities
Frequently Asked Questions
The sanitary sewer system is a network of pipes that carries wastewater from the toilets, sinks, and bathtubs/showers in your house to the treatment plant, where the wastewater is cleaned before entering the Concord River.
The storm sewer system, or more commonly known as the storm drain, is a network of roadside ditches, gutters, and underground pipes that collects stormwater (water from rain and melting snow that flows over the ground) and carries it away from our streets, parking lots, and yards. Water enters the storm drain system through catch basin grates and exits through outfalls. Water that enters the storm drain is generally not treated, and discharges directly to the environment and local waterways.
Billerica has a robust stormwater management program, and residents, businesses, schools, developers, and industrial facilities can all take part! The Town regularly distributes information about stormwater management, pollution prevention, and other best practices online, at public meetings, and in mailings.
Article XXVI of the Town’s General By-Laws, “Bylaw Governing Discharges to the Municipal Storm Sewer System,” was adopted in 2007 to regulate illegal discharges, connections, and dumping to the Town’s drainage system. The By-law makes it illegal to put pollution such as pet waste, water from laundry, motor oil, antifreeze and other chemicals, paint, tree branches and leaves, soapy water, and litter/trash into the storm drain or into waterbodies. If you suspect someone is putting pollution into the storm drain system or into waterbodies, call the Billerica Stormwater Engineer at 978-671-1300 or the Board of Health at 978-671-0931. See the Town’s Stormwater Bylaws webpage for additional information.
Remember, when pet waste, leaves, or litter is thrown in catch basins, it can clog the drain pipes and lead to flooding, pollute our waterways, and harm the local wildlife.
Yes! Billerica’s drinking water comes from the Concord River, so it is crucial to reduce potential impacts to the river’s water quality from stormwater pollution. There are many ways you can help, whether you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Billerica. Check out the Public Education materials, and reach out to the Town’s Stormwater Engineer with any questions.
Article XXV of the Town’s General By-laws, “Stormwater Management By-Law,” was adopted in 2007 to regulate construction site and post-construction runoff for activities impacting an acre or more. Associated Stormwater Management Regulations were adopted by the Board of Health in 2010 and updated to meet the General Permit requirements for construction and post-construction stormwater management.
The following activities will require a Stormwater Management Permit from the Billerica Board of Health:
- Any Subdivision requiring a Definitive Plan; or
- Any activity that results in a land disturbance one acre or greater within the Town of Billerica. A land disturbance means any action that causes vegetation clearing; or a change in the position, location, or arrangement of soil, sand, rock, gravel, or similar earth material; or
- Any activity that results in a land disturbance less than one acre if the project is part of a larger common plan of development that eventually will disturb one acre or more within the Town of Billerica. This includes Approval Not Required under Subdivision (APR) lots.
Exemptions, such as maintenance of existing landscaping, are described in the bylaw. More information about this bylaw and the associated Regulations can be found on the Town’s Stormwater Bylaws webpage.