INTRODUCTION TO WAKEFIELD’S STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Why a Stormwater Management Program?
Wakefield is currently completing the second year of the federally mandated, five-year storm water management program that requires the town to implement the six best management practices outlined in the federal legislation. The six best management practices, typically, involve review and upgrade of residential and commercial activities and practices that may potentially impact the quality of stormwater runoff that discharges into the storm sewer system, wetlands and rivers.
What Is Stormwater Runoff?
Stormwater runoff is the rain or snowmelt that runs off streets, rooftops, parking lots, lawns and other land surfaces. As communities develop, more impervious surfaces are created and less rainfall can soak into the ground. This increases runoff, flooding and stream bank erosion.
Stormwater Is Not Clean Water!
Stormwater picks up pollutants as it flows across land surfaces. Pollutants include:
*Oil and grease from car leaks, gas stations, commercial and industrial areas
*Bacteria and disease causing organisms from animal and pet waste and failing septic
systems
*Pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, parks and roadsides
*Eroded soils and other materials from bare areas and construction sites
*Sometimes illegally dumped paints, oils and other chemicals in storm drains
Where Does Stormwater Go?
Stormwater typically flows into storm drains on parking lots and street curbs where it enters underground pipes called storm sewers. Unlike sanitary sewers, storm sewers do not lead to a treatment plant. So stormwater runoff directed to storm sewers usually receives no treatment before entering our streams, rivers and lakes. The result can be the contamination of our drinking water supplies; swimming, fishing, boating and other water related activities; and injury to aquatic plants and animals. Also, pollutants impair the visual beauty of our waters.
What You Can Do To Help:
As you can see many of our daily activities have the potential to cause stormwater pollution. How you manage your property and day-to-day activities can ensure the quality of your drinking water; swimming, fishing, boating and other water related activities and aquatic plants and animals. Remember, “You are the solution to pollution!” Here are some of the ways you can help to prevent stormwater pollution:
*Minimize impervious areas to reduce runoff
*Divert roof drains and other runoff to vegetated areas on your property
*Preserve or plant trees and shrubs along streams to keep them cool
*Keep your vehicles tuned up and repair leaks quickly
*Wash your car on the lawn not the driveway
*Stop soil erosion – plant vegetation on all bare areas
*Never pour oil, paint thinners and other pollutants into storm drains, or waterways
or on the ground. Take these household wastes to the Town of Wakefield’s
*Household Hazardous Waste Day events (May and October of each year.)
*Properly use and store all household chemicals. Clean up spills quickly.
*Retain or create 50- to 100-foot buffers of vegetation between waterways and
impervious areas to help filter pollutants.
*Use lawn practices that protect water quality. Minimize the use of fertilizers and
pesticides on your lawn; sweep (don’t wash) fertilizer off driveways and walkways and
compost yard wastes.
*Clean litter from the streets and stormdrains in front of your home and along streambanks
to keep it out of our waters.
*Walk your dog in vegetated areas or bury or flush pet wastes.
*Design all new construction to prevent runoff and stormwater pollution.
*Report all pollution, illegal dumping or soil erosion that you see to the DPW’s Hotline at
(781-246-6309)
*Support Agencies and organizations working on clean water programs.
*Participate in the Lake Quannapowitt Clean-Up Day and attend the Festival-By-The-Lake.
*Watch for future DPW activities seeking volunteers and conducting activities in support
of the Town’s Stormwater management Program
| 
