Stormwater Management & Erosion Control Permit
As sites in Watertown are developed or redeveloped, the land is disturbed by construction activities such as tree clearing and excavation of surface materials and soils that leaves the ground exposed. Demolition debris, fuels, chemicals, and construction materials are often stored on site. On a windy or rainy day, exposed soils are susceptible to being blown or washed away. Materials without proper protections can also be washed away. Stormwater runoff from construction sites can collect pollutants like sediment, oil, and grease and carry them to into the City’s storm drains and the Charles River, without any treatment.
After construction ends, the paved areas, roofs, and other impervious surfaces will continue to generate stormwater pollution and contribute to flooding problems if there are insufficient long-term stormwater controls on a site.
The Engineering Division of the DPW administers the City’s Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Ordinance, Chapter 98 of the City Code, to regulate stormwater management and erosion control during and after construction. Projects of certain size and scope are required to obtain a permit from the DPW to demonstrate compliance with the permit. In general, the following types of projects require coverage under a permit:
- Renovations with change or expansion in use (i.e. Single-family to Two-family, etc.).
- New single-family or two-family residential construction.
- New commercial, industrial, or multi-unit residential construction.
- Net increase in impervious surfaces of five hundred (500) square feet or more.
- Land disturbance of five thousand (5,000) square feet of total area or more over a two-year period (includes driveway and parking lot excavation, reclamation, milling).
- Land disturbance of one (1) acre or greater (NPDES Construction General Permit also required).
- Preliminary site investigation activities as part of a larger development that will disturb five thousand (5,000) square feet of total area or more over a two-year period.
- Create or modify a direct connection to the MS4 (City of Watertown storm drain system).
- Installation of a sump pump and associated subsurface infiltration system.
Documents
Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Ordinance
Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Rules and Regulations (Updated September 2021)
September 28, 2015 Presentation to Town Council Committee on Public Works
For contractors: Construction Site Impacts and Erosion and Sediment Control Requirements
Applications and Forms
Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Permit Application
Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Permit Transmittal Fee
Links
Massachusetts Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for Urban and Suburban Areas