Storm Water Committee

The Storm-Water Management Committee is committed to the objectives outlined to implement Best Management Practices (BMP's) for the entire town in an effort to protect significant water resources. This committee will be working toward educating the public soliciting public participation, exploring illicit discharge and elimination systems, seeking to control both construction and post-construction runoff, and developing a plan for municipal storm-water controls all in an effort to reduce the amount of pollutants originating in Hudson that contribute to the receiving waters of the United States. These receiving waters include the Merrimack River, Beaver, and Chase Brooks.

Members

Management Program

Hudson, like other southern New Hampshire towns, is experiencing rapid population growth. Urbanization occurs when native vegetation is replaced by impermeable surfaces such as building structures, roads, driveways and parking lots.

Rainfall runs off of these impermeable surfaces and carries pollutants into surface waters; this is called non-point surface water pollution. Storm-water runoff accounts for 40% of the pollutants in New Hampshire's rivers and streams.

A clean and abundant water supply is a resource that can no longer be taken for granted. Residents working in cooperation with the local government can help insure that Hudson will have an adequate supply of clean water now and in the future.

The Town of Hudson New Hampshire, is designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the owner and operator of a regulated municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) and as such needs to address specific requirements in the designated permit coverage areas.

As part of the Town's compliance with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's mandate, Hudson has formed a Storm-Water Committee comprised of professional Town staff. This committee will address issues related to storm-water pollution in surface waters and help to educate the public with increasing the importance of clean water.

Since the creation of the Clean Water Act in 1972, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) program has been a major force in the nation's efforts to protect and restore the quality of our rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal waters. Thirty years ago only one-third of our waters were considered healthy. Today, approximately two-thirds are healthy. This progress has brought a wide-range of environmental, recreational and economic benefits to millions of Americans.

The NPDES program faces at least two significant challenges in the near future. First, we must safeguard our gains in water quality and strive to improve those waters still impaired by pollution. Second, we must improve water and sewer systems infrastructure. Increases in population and development will stress infrastructure threatening the progress the nation has made. These efforts will make future improvements to our water quality more desirable. Also, the NPDES program must extend its influence beyond the traditional boundaries of the program to promote comprehensive solutions to the diverse and complex problems that continue to threaten the quality of our nation's waters.

What can you do?

• Be careful with pesticide and fertilizer applications. Do not apply before or during heavy rains. Use natural alternatives applied less often.
• With pets comes responsibility. Pick up after your pets. Waste can be buried or flushed down the toilet.
• Don't litter. Your junk eventually ends up in our streams and waterways.
• Wash your car at a car wash, Or if you must wash it at home use environmentally friendly biodegradable detergents.
• Keep your car well maintained and correct any leaks as soon as possible, recycle motor oil. Gas, oil, antifreeze and other fluids are extremely detrimental to our water and waterways.
• Properly maintain your septic system - Have it pumped by a licensed septic contractor at least once every two years. Malfunctioning or over flowing septic systems release harmful bacteria and nutrients into the water cycle.
• Never dump anything down storm drains other than clean water or storm-water.
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces.
• Become familiar with Town ordinances and regulations regarding wetlands and storm-water protection.

This storm-water management program is intended to improve the quality of waterways in the United States by reducing pollutants picked up and carried to storm sewer systems and surface waters during storm events. Common pollutants include oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash, such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers and plastic bottles. These pollutants can impair waterways, contaminate drinking water supplies, and interfere with habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms and wildlife.

Look for additional information on the Town web site, on the community cable channel, in your local newspapers, and in mailings from the Town of Hudson. Please help to keep our waters clean!

Call the STORM-WATER number at 886-6008 with any questions or to report any concerns.