2010 Stormwater Management Report (PDF) - US Environmental ...

3.2 CONTROL OF NON-STORMWATER DISCHARGES TO THE
DRAINAGE SYSTEM
a. Drainage Discharge Permits
Article C, Section 5 of the Commission’s Sewer Use Regulations describes the discharge
prohibitions and restrictions applicable to the Commission’s storm drainage system.
Under the Sewer Use Regulations any discharge of wastewater or other waters not
composed entirely of stormwater into a building storm drain or a Commission storm
drain is prohibited, except as authorized by the regulations. Authorized discharges
include discharges for which the owner has obtained both a Drainage Discharge Permit
from the Commission and an NPDES Permit or NPDES Permit Exclusion from EPA, as
well as such discharges as river or stream flow, rising groundwater, uncontaminated
groundwater, waters from hydrant flushing, and other potable water sources associated
with the maintenance of the water distribution system or fire fighting, irrigation water,
and street and pavement wash waters.
Discharges requiring a Drainage Discharge Permit include permanent subsurface
drainage, non-contact cooling water, non-contact industrial process water, or waters
associated with hydrological testing, groundwater treatment/remediation, and removal
and installation of an underground storage tank. Drainage Discharge Permits are issued
by the Commission’s Field Engineering Division. The Commission may deny or
condition a Drainage Discharge Permit to prevent the discharge of contaminants to the
storm drainage system. Failure to obtain a Drainage Discharge Permit from the
Commission carries a fine of up to $1,000 per day of violation under Sewer Use
Regulations. In 2010, the Commission issued 7 Drainage Discharge Permits for
discharges to storm drains.
The requirements for Drainage Discharge Permits are described in the Commission’s
Requirements for Site Plans, and developers and potential dischargers are informed of the
requirements when they request a General Service Application for a building sewer or
building storm drain connection. In addition, owners and developers are informed of the
Drainage Discharge Permit requirements through comment letters submitted by the
Commission to Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Unit and the Boston
Redevelopment Authority in response to Environmental Impact Reports.
b. Abrasive Blasting or Chemical Cleaning Permits
For any project involving repair or cleaning of existing masonry, the project proponent is
required to obtain from the Boston Air Pollution Control Commission a permit for
Abrasive Blasting or Chemical Cleaning.
In accordance with the permits, applicants are required to provide a detailed description
as to how chemical mist and run-off will be contained and either treated before discharge
to the sewer or drainage system or collected and disposed of lawfully off site. Air
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