Proposed Stormwater By-laws

Background

Land development and land use conversion projects 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.

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 waters.

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).

Illicit discharges and illegal dumping into the storm sewer system can lead to pollution flowing directly to the rivers, streams and lakes in and around Billerica. A by-law to clearly make such activities illegal will give the Town a tool to ensure that pollution does not flow into the storm sewer system promoting cleaner waters and land now and into the future.

Links for additional information on the by-laws

Town of Billerica's Stormwater Management By-laws brochure
Proposed Stormwater Management By-law
Proposed By-law Governing Discharges to MS4