Storm Water Management Program

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires operators of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) to develop and implement a Storm Water Management Program to minimize the discharge of contaminates into surface waters. The Separate Storm Sewer is a system of underground pipes and surface drainage that carry rainwater and snowmelt away from roads and parking lots. Ultimately this drainage reaches our lakes and rivers.

Through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, the EPA and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates stormwater runoff discharged into Massachusetts waterbodies via MS4’s.  The EPA and DEP originally authorized Weymouth to discharge stormwater in 2003 under a NPDES General Permit.  The 2003 General Permit expired in May 2008, but remained in full force and effect until a new permit was issued in 2016.  An EPA stay on June 30, 2017 delayed the effective date of the 2016 General Permit until July 1, 2016.  The DPW filed a new Notice of Intent (NOI) with the EPA in Sept 2018 to apply for authorization to discharge stormwater under the 2016 General Permit.  The Town of Weymouth files a report with the EPA and DEP on an annual basis to demonstrate compliance with the NPDES Permit.

NPDES General Permit Information:

Common pollutants include the following:

  • automotive fluids that leak from our vehicles onto roads, parking lots and driveways,
  • pesticides used to keep lawns green,
  • sediments from construction sites;
  • household trash and chemicals not properly disposed of
  • animal waste.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Town's Stormwater Management Plan has been drafted and is available for review and comment at the following link: Stormwater Management Plan.  As a resident of Weymouth you can provide input and feedback on the Town's stormwater program.  You can submit your comments by emailing: jdonovan@weymouth.ma.us


Greeen Practices to Manage Stormwater Runoff

EPA and the U.S. Botanic Garden produced an on-line video, “Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In,” that highlights green techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels to help manage stormwater runoff. The video highlights green techniques on display in 2008 at the U.S. Botanic Garden’s “One Planet – Ours!” Exhibit” and at the EPA in Washington, D.C., including recently completed cisterns.

To watch the video: https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain/what-you-can-do-soak-rain


Residents of Weymouth can have an enormous impact on the quality of rivers and streams by:

  • keeping vehicles maintained,
  • closely following application rates for pesticides and fertilizers,
  • properly disposing of household wastes and recyclables
  • watching for unusual discharges from storm drainage swales and piping during dry weather conditions.

Don’t blow, sweep or dump grass clippings and yard waste into streets or storm drains. Leaves in storm drains create blockages which can cause flooding. Storm drains also go directly into our water bodies without any filtration. Fall leaves contain lots of natural fertilizer which can pollute our rivers and streams. So mulch, compost, or use other proper disposal methods sanctioned by your town, just DON’T BLOW IT!
For more tips on how to be WaterSmart, go to WaterSmartSouthShore.org.

Don't Blow It!

The Weymouth Department of Public Works operates the following programs to assist residents when disposing of these materials:

  • weekly collection of household trash, recyclables are collected every other week
  • annual household hazardous waste collection day (normally held in October and April) for the disposal of unwanted pesticides, paints and chemicals. April 8th and October 21st for 2006.
  • Used oil, tires, automotive batteries, antifreeze, paint, mercury thermometers, televisions set, computer monitors, antifreeze and battery disposal programs that are open to residents during Dept. of Public Works hours of operation
  • Pick up bulk items for a fee, IE. air conditioners, refrigerators, stoves, water heaters.
  • Weymouth residents are allowed to unload septage from their RV’s at the Dept. of Public Works

Please contact Public Works for more information regarding any of the programs listed above.

Report Storm Water Related Problems/Issues:

Click here to use the DPW Service Request form to report storm water related problems/issues.


Check out the following websites and documents for more information regarding storm water pollution prevention:

Proper management of pet waste

Ways to prevent stormwater runoff pollution

Proper maintenance of privately owned septic systems

Educational Web Sites: