The City of Northampton has a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) that collects stormwater runoff, as rainwater or snow melt, from streets, parking lots, sidewalks, buildings and other surfaces. Runoff discharges directly to wetlands, brooks, rivers, ponds and lakes throughout the City. The City’s MS4 system and the stormwater that enters it is regulated under the Clean Water Act, specifically the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Phase II MS4 General Permit. The City’s NPDES MS4 Permit is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The City is implementing a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) to meet MS4 Permit requirements. The SWMP includes the following measures:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program
- Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
- Post Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment
- Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention for Permittee Owned Operations
The City’s comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan may be viewed online or a paper copy may be reviewed at Public Works' Administration & Engineering Building at 125 Locust Street.
Residents, businesses, developers and other members of the public are encouraged to review the Stormwater Management Plan and provide comments to Public Works by e-mail or mail (125 Locust Street, Northampton MA 01060).
Stormwater Management Program Materials