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

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PERMIT HISTORY
Discharges to the Boston Water and Sewer Commission’s (Commission) separate storm
drainage system are regulated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit
Regulations. The Commission’s NPDES Stormwater Permit (MAS010001) was issued
by the EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on
September 29, 1999, and became effective on October 29, 1999. The five year permit
expired on October 29, 2004. The Commission’s 2003 Stormwater Management Report,
which was submitted to the EPA on February 27, 2004, constituted the Commission’s
reapplication for an NPDES Stormwater Permit.
1.2 ANNUAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Under the Permit, the Commission is required to develop and implement stormwater
pollution prevention and management programs that are designed to reduce, to the
maximum extent practicable, the discharge of pollutants to the municipal storm drainage
system. In accordance with the NPDES Stormwater Permit (the Permit), the Commission
is required to report annually to the EPA and the DEP regarding the status of its pollution
prevention and stormwater management programs. This report provides a summary of
the stormwater activities undertaken by the Commission in 2010. Provided herein are
descriptions of the Commission’s outfall screening, stormwater and receiving water
monitoring, and illegal connection remediation programs, discussions regarding
modifications to these programs, annual expenditures, water quality improvements and an
assessment of structural controls.
1.3 COMMISSION JURISDICTION AND LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR
DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The Commission was created pursuant to an act of the Massachusetts Legislature under
Chapter 436 of the Acts of 1977 as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth,
separate and apart from the City of Boston. The enabling act charged the Commission
with the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the water distribution system
and the wastewater collection and stormwater drainage systems which serve the City of
Boston. Through its enabling legislation the Commission is empowered to promulgate
rules and regulations in order to perform its statutory functions and duties. The
Commission’s Regulations Governing the Use of Sanitary and Combined Sewers and
Storm Drains and Requirements for Site Plans are briefly described below. Copies of the