The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a federal program administered by EPA which regulates discharges into waterbodies of the United States. Historically, this was mostly limited to Wastewater Treatment Facilities and Industrial Dischargers. In the late 70's and early 80's, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began looking at the effects of stormwater pollution and runoff, and determined that approximately 13% of rivers & streams, 18% of lakes, and 32% of estuaries were impaired as a reult of stormwater. As more open land is developed, the impacts associated with stormwater increase. The impervious surfaces associated with developed areas result in increased stormwater volume, velocity, and flooding. Pollutants picked up by the runoff and
deposited in waterbodies, such as suspended solids, fecal coliform, metals and oils, result in reduced habitat areas and aquatic populations, decreased groundwater supplies, health issues, and reduced recreational areas. EPA then began developing a set of regulations to minimize the impacts of stormwater.
 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). Phase I of this program was implemented in
1990 and regulated stormwater discharges from 11 industrial categories, construction sites
disturbing more than 5 acres, and medium and large municipalities. Phase II of this program
was initiated in 1999. This phase expanded the definition of "No Exposure" for light industry,
and regulated construction sites between 1 and 5 acres and small municipalities, such as South
Hadley. The Stormwater NPDES General Permit for small MS4's was issued for 5 years, and
specified the minimum control measures that communities had to implement and reporting
requirements. The six minimum control measures are Public Education & Outreach, Public
Participation & Involvement, Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE), Construction Site Runoff Control, Post Construction Site Runoff Control, and Pollution Prevention /Good Housekeeping. Each individual community selected the Best Management Practices (BMP's) it
would use to comply with each component over the course of the five years.
The links below provide additional information on stormwater management for residents, as well
as information on the local, state and federal regulations and requirements under this program.
Additional Links:
For additional information on this program or to report a problem or activity involving a storm drain, please contact Melissa LaBonte of the Water Pollution Control Division of the DPW at 413.538.5040, or by email at wwtp@southhadley.org.
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