Stormwater Management Program

The Town of Burlington has a municipal separate storm sewer system Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) for catching and conveying stormwater runoff from rainwater, snow, and ice melt from pavement and other surfaces. The runoff discharges directly to local streams, rivers, and other water bodies. This MS4 system and the stormwater that enters it is regulated under the Clean Water Act, specifically the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The Town's NPDES MS4 permit is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

The Town's Stormwater Management Program is in place to meet permit requirements and prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into the MS4. Measures include:

  • Construction site stormwater runoff control
  • Good housekeeping in municipal operations
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination
  • Pollution prevention
  • Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment
  • Public education and outreach
  • Public involvement and participation

Stormwater Management Plan

The Town has drafted a comprehensive written Stormwater Management Plan (PDF), which may be downloaded for review or a paper copy may be obtained from the Conservation Department.

Residents, businesses, developers, and other members of the public are encouraged to review our efforts and the Stormwater Management Plan and provide any input or recommendations to the Town. Please send comments by email to the Conservation Department.

Stormwater Management Materials

  1. Stormwater Management Plan - Signed (PDF)
  2. Receiving waters updated July 2021

Public Education & Outreach

  1. Anti-Icing and Salt Strategies Brochure - Commercial (PDF)
  2. Anti-icing and salt strategies D2
  3. Construction Flyer_think blue
  4. Developers general 1-pager EPA.doc
  5. Good Management Industrial Activities Brochure - Industrial (PDF)
  6. Scoop the Poop Posters at Parks - Residents (PDF)
  7. Social Media Clean Water Tips - Everyone (JPG)
  8. Stormwater Display in Library - Residents (JPG)
  9. Stormwater pollution prevention brochure 2020
  10. Swimming Pool Drainage Brochure - Residents (PDF)

Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

  1. IDDE Burlington Plan_2019
  2. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Handout for Municipal Staff Training (PDF)
  3. Sanitary Sewer Overflows 5-Year History (PDF)
  4. SSO Inventory 2022

Post-Construction Stormwater Management

  1. Impervious Cover Report_5.31.22
  2. Report assessing infiltration_06.01.22

Impairments

Good Housekeeping

  1. Catch Basin Cleaning Optimization Plan (PDF)
  2. Operations and Maintenance Procedures for Parks and Open Space (PDF)
  3. Operations and Maintenance Procedures for Stormwater Treatment Structures (PDF)
  4. Operations and Maintenance Burlington Facilities 2021 update
  5. Standard Operating Procedures for Winter Road Maintenance (PDF)
  6. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for the Burlington Salt Shed (PDF)
  7. Burlington-street-sweeping-sop_08.31.22
  8. Operations & Maintenance Plan Burlington vehicles and equip 04.12.23

Note

A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will be developed for the new Department of Public Works (DPW) / Recreation Department building at 1-3 Great Meadow Road that will become operational in 2023.

Stormwater System Map

  1. 2019 Town of Burlington Stormwater System Map (PDF)

Stormwater Testing & Public Awareness

Burlington summer interns help map the stormwater system and sample and test stormwater. You may have seen them around town with their distinctive fluorescent vests and sampling equipment.

They also attach markers on storm drains that read "Don't Dump, Drains to Wetlands" to increase public awareness that storms drains discharge directly into our wetlands and streams.

Annual Reports

  1. Burlington Annual Report year 1 signed
  2. Burlington Annual Report Year 2 signed
  3. Burlington Annual Report Year 3
  4. Burlington Annual Report Year 4 September 22
Summer Intern Testing Stormwater Sample

Bylaws

  1. Illicit Discharge and Detection Bylaw (PDF)
  2. Stormwater Bylaw and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Bylaw (PDF)
  3. Stormwater Bylaw Update Article XIV Section 6
  4. Toxic Materials Bylaw (PDF)