Stormwater Management and the EPA MS4 Permit

The City of Nashua is required to comply with the requirements of the EPA 2017 NPDES Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit.  The Permit requirements include the development, implementation, and enforcement of a Stormwater Management Program to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable.  The 2017 MS4 Permit became effective on July 1, 2018.  

The objectives of the permit are accomplished through the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the following six minimum control measures. 

  • Public education and outreach;
  • Public involvement and participation;
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program;
  • Construction site stormwater runoff control;
  • Post-construction stormwater management in new development or redevelopment; and
  • Good housekeeping and pollution prevention for permittee-owned facilities 

Annual Reports are submitted to the EPA and NHDES detailing actions taken by the City to comply with the Permit.  The Annual Reports can be found here:

https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/2003-small-ms4-general-permit-archives-massachusetts-new-hampshire

Additional Information

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services 

https://www.des.nh.gov/

Public Education Material  

Learn more about Stormwater Management and how you can help 

Division of Public Works Soft Yard Waste Collection Program and Back Yard Composting

https://www.nashuanh.gov/467/Soft-Yard-Waste 

The Nashua Conservation Commission Wetland Brochure

https://www.nashuanh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2622/Brochure-Protecting-Wetland-Buffers-PDF 

The University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center

https://unh.edu/unhsc/presentations 

Green Grass and Clear Water

https://seagrant.unh.edu/WQ-and-lawns-outreach 

The Division of Public Works uses the Enviroscape* watershed model to provide a hands on experience for all ages about stormwater pollution and ways everyone can help to reduce pollution in our waterways.   Call the Engineering Department at 589-3120 for more information about how this presentation can come to your classroom or event.

 *Hyperlink to Enviroscape  https://www.enviroscapes.com/