Stormwater

Be part of the solution to stormwater pollution.


The Problem

Each time it rains, water washes over our streets, driveways, and yards, picking up pollutants along the way and flowing into our storm drains. This runoff may contain pollutants such as motor oil, yard clippings, pet waste, litter, lawn chemicals, anti-freeze, or other toxins, which can pollute our water supply as well as clog pipes and culverts which can lead to flooding. Known as "non-point source pollution," it is the largest threat to our waterways today. Sometimes pollutants are dumped directly into storm drains by neighbors who don't know any better.

Contrary to popular belief, most storm drains are not connected to treatment systems. Whatever enters the drain is discharged directly, untreated into local waterways!


How You Can Help

The storm drain inlets on your street are being marked with a colorful marker with a pollution prevention message. You can help by following these tips to prevent pollution:

  • Properly dispose of hazardous waste and recycle used motor oil.
  • Use fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides sparingly and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Keep your yard waste, trash, and dirt off the street and out of the gutters.
  • Clean up after your pets.
  • Wash your car at the car wash facility or park your car in the grass before you wash it.
  • Spread the word about protecting our waterways from polluted runoff.

You can find more information at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)webpage.

Illicit Stormwater Discharge Hotline

To report an incident of illicit discharge of liquids/materials into our stormwater system, please notify us by calling our hotline at 781-804-2437.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Stormwater Management Plan

The Town of Hingham has developed a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) as part of an on-going effort to minimize stormwater runoff impacts to local waterbodies. The SWMP is a requirement of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) in Massachusetts, issued on April 4, 2016 and effective on July 1, 2018 (2016 MS4 GP). A copy of the 2016 MS4 GP is provided in Appendix A. The SWMP will serve as the Town’s framework which describes and details the activities and measures that will be implemented to meet the requirements of the 2016 MS4 GP. The SWMP will be updated and or modified during the permit term as the Town’s activities are modified, changed, or updated to meet the requirements. An amendment log and summary of modifications template is provided in Appendix B.

Prior to the development and implementation of the SWMP, the Town filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) with EPA in September 2018 to obtain the authorization to discharge stormwater under the 2016 MS4 GP. The NOI and documentation supporting Endangered Species Act (ESA) and National Historic Properties eligibility criteria determinations are provided in Appendix C.

View the Stormwater Management Plan (PDF)