Commercial Properties

Remember: Only rain down the drain!

In Massachusetts, polluted stormwater runoff and discharges in urbanized areas result in serious water-quality problems. Polluted runoffs to water bodies have affected plant and animal life in streams and lakes and can also affect recreational activities such as boating and swimming.

Dirt, oil and debris that collect in parking lots and paved areas can be washed into the storm sewer system and eventually enter local water bodies.

Remember to:

  • Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, especially around storm drains.
  • Cover grease storage and dumpsters and
  • Clean up all spills immediately.

Benefits

Stormwater control helps the citizens and businesses of Brookline:

  • Prevent pollutants from entering the storm drain
  • Prohibit illicit connections and unauthorized discharges to the storm drain
  • Remove all such illicit connections
  • Comply with state and federal statues and regulations relating to stormwater discharges
  • Establish the legal authority to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section through inspection, monitoring, and enforcement

Regulations

The Town of Brookline regulates stormwater discharges under By-Law 8.25. Non-stormwater discharges contain contaminants and supply additional flows to the town's storm drain system. Non-storm drain discharges are a major cause of impairment of water quality and water flow (in lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, wetlands and groundwater), contamination of drinking water supplies, alteration or destruction of aquatic and wildlife habitat, and flooding.

These can be prevented through the use of this requirement by preventing pollutants from entering the storm drain, by prohibiting or removing illicit connections and unauthorized discharges to the storm drain, and to comply with state and federal statutes and regulations relating to stormwater discharges.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection require the development and implementation of a Stormwater Prevention Program to minimize contamination of the town's municipal drain system.

Resources