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Stormwater discharges are generated by runoff from land and impervious areas during rainfall and snow events. Stormwater picks up litter, sand, bacteria, oil and other chemicals as it flows over the land and it carries these pollutants to our streams, rivers, ponds and wetlands. Runoff from paved surfaces, such as roads, parking lots and rooftops, may contribute large amounts of polluted storm water. Cleaning up storm water not only benefits our neighborhoods and town, it also benefits the entire network of water bodies and land that make up our watershed
[Sudbury-Assabet-Concord (SuAsCo) Watershed].
As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.
Note: Any activity within 100' of a wetland or 200' of a perennial stream or 200' of floodplain is under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission and requires their approval. The Conservation Commission is the sole board that can determine whether an area is or is not under their jurisdiction. To determine whether your property is within the Commission's jurisdiction, please contact the Conservation office. |
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