- Home
- Departments
- Public Works
- Stormwater
Stormwater Management
The Town of Amherst maintains a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) for collecting stormwater which runs off of impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roof tops, driveways and roadways. The MS4 system consists of catch basins, pipes, and culverts that carry collected water to a discharge point often located near wetlands, streams, rivers, and ponds throughout Amherst. This system is maintained by the Amherst Department of Public Works, and is regulated by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Phase II MS4 General Permit.
Amherst is working to implement a 5-year Stormwater Management Program required by the Phase II MS4 General Permit. Phase II local governments are required to develop and implement a stormwater management program that includes the following six minimum measures:
- Public Education and outreach on stormwater impacts
- Public involvement and participation
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE)
- Construction site stormwater runoff control
- Post construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment
- Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations
2022 Outfall sampling results
As part of the Town's IDDE Program, DPW sampled approximately 180 stormwater outfalls during the summer of 2022. This is approximately half of all the outfalls in town, DPW will finish sampling all the locations in the summer of 2023. Below is a map of all the outfalls sampled in 2022, clicking on the map will take you to a webpage where you can access the results.
Public Education Resources - click on the tabs below
Resources for Residents
Resources for Businesses/Commercial/Institution
- Parking Lot Flyer
- Video - Businesses/Commercial Stormwater Management Education
- Adopt a Drain Program
Currently stormwater management design for new development and redevelopment, and construction site run off in Amherst is regulated under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Town of Amherst Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulations. Amherst is in the process of developing a new stormwater bylaw and regulations. Construction sites over one acre are also regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Discharges Construction Activities program with the EPA. See the resources listed below for information on permitting and stormwater management technology.
Resources for Developers & Contractors
Public Involvement
As required by the NPDES MS4 General Permit, Amherst’s current Stormwater Management Program and latest MS4 Annual Report can be accessed by the public through the links provided in the column to the right. Please submit any comments on either document to Beth Willson at willsone@amherstma.gov.
Contact Us
-
Guilford Mooring, P.E.
Superintendent
Email
586 S. Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Ph: 413-259-3050
Fx: 413-259-2414
Hours
Monday - Friday
7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Documents
- Amherst Stormwater Management Program - 2019
- MS4 Annual Report-FY2019
- MS4 Annual Report-FY2020
- MS4 Annual Report-FY2021
- MS4 Annual Report-FY2022
- Amherst Stormwater Management Bylaw
- Amherst IDDE Bylaw
- Amherst Stormwater Regulations - being developed