Stormwater Management

stormwater image

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:

  1. Public Education and outreach on stormwater impacts
  2. Public involvement and participation
  3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE)
  4. Construction site stormwater runoff control
  5. Post construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment
  6. Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations


Public Education Resources - click on the tabs below

  1. Residential
  2. Business/Commercial/ Institution
  3. Developers & Contractors
  4. Industrial

Resources for Residents

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.