The Town of Marblehead has a stormwater system or drainage system that collects stormwater runoff through a series of catch basins (street grates). From these catch basins, the drainage system flows untreated through an underground pipe network and leads to outfalls discharging into the ocean. This is system is known as a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).
Drain maintenance and construction is funded through the Town’s Department of Public Works budget and Town Meeting Warrant Articles.
This MS4 system and the stormwater that enters it is regulated under the Clean Water Act, specifically the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The Town’s NPDES MS4 permit is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection since 2003. In additional to ongoing system maintenance activities, the Town incorporates public education and participation into our annual operations, a component of this permit.
A Drain Layer License is required when any work is to be performed in connection with the Marblehead sewer system. All Drain Layer Licenses expire on December 31st, regardless of the date of issue. The following must be submitted with the Application for Drain Layer License:
- A check in the amount of $300.00 made payable to the Marblehead Water and Sewer Commission.
- Current Certificate of Liability Insurance for General Liability and Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability coverage;
- Surety Bond in the amount of $2,000 specifically for “Drain Layer License”;
- A copy of a valid Department of Public Safety-issued Hoisting License for each employee who may be engaging in the operation of equipment for any trenching operation.
- A completed Commonwealth of Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Insurance Affidavit Form;
- Two (2) letters of reference from communities in which the applicant is already licensed;
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is water which runs off imperious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways and roadways during and after a storm. This water enters into the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) which ultimately ends up in the Waters of the Commonwealth.
Why Should I care about Stormwater?
If proper stormwater management isn’t practiced, pollutants such as dog waste, fertilizer, trash and motor vehicle fluids can be picked up by stormwater and carried into wetlands, waterbodies and into the groundwater. This water is used everyday for drinking, bathing, cooking, fishing and swimming.
Health and Safety
Stormwater can have high levels of bacteria from organic waste or toxic chemicals. Physical trash can even enter the water system, including sharp objects or dangerous syringes. Stormwater drains into the ocean without treatment. For this reason, beach visitors, especially young children need to be careful and avoid any pipes that appear to open into the sea.
More importantly, residents should do their part to keep stormwater clean. This means not disposing of pet waste or other pollutants into the drains found on our streets and making smart choices about what is used to treat our lawns. Because of these potential health consequences, disposal of such materials into the stormwater system is subject to fines.
Good Stormwater Management Practices:
- Minimize fertillzer use
- Pick up after pets
- Wash you car at a car wash
- Keep you car well maintanied to prevent leaks
- Never put anything down a storm drain and clean debris away from storm drains so they can function as designed
Benefits of Proper Stormwater Management:
- Protects recreational waters such as lakes and oceans
- Protects fish and wildlife
- Minimizes eutrophication
- Protects human health
- Lowers cost of treating water for human comsumption
- Increased property values near bodies of water
Helpful Links
- https://greenscapes.org/
- https://www.mass.gov/service-details/stormwater
- https://www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/massachusetts-npdes-permits
- https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources
Educational Materials
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you may direct your sump pump into the storm drain system but a permit is required to connect to the drain system.
Yes, water from swimming pools may be drained into the street (storm drain system) as long as the chlorine level is less than 1 part per million (ppm).
The Drain Department cleans out the storm drains at least once a year. Residents can help prevent flooding by keeping the drains free of leaves and debris year-round.
No, homeowners are prohibited from discharging sump pump connections into the sanitary sewers system. The sewer system connects to all drains inside your house. The sewer system should only be connected to drains inside of your house (toilets, showers, sinks, etc.). Everything that enters the sanitary sewer system goes to the South Essex Sewerage Treatment Facility to have waste removed.
Article III Use of Public Sewers section 248-16 of the Town of Marblehead By-Laws provides that, “No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.
If you are interested in connecting a sump pump to the Town’s drainage system, contact the Department of Public Works at 781-631-1750 or email at drains@marblehead.org.
Additionally, the Sewer Department is running a program to remove existing sump pumps connected to the sanitary sewer. They can help determine if your sump pump is connected to the sanitary sewer and advise on how to remove any sump pumps that are connected improperly. For more information please visit www.resump.org.
It goes into the ocean through over 90 different outflow sites.
The drains in the street collect water in catch basins which ultimately flows into the ocean. It is important that this water is not contaminated because it is not treated prior to flowing into the ocean. Noxious agents can have a negative impact on the heath of the Harbor and surrounding ocean life. (No animal feces, motor oil or other agents allowed in drains in street.) Drains inside your house take waste material to the South Essex Sewerage Treatment facility to remove waste products.
With the fall season upon us and many trees already dropping their leaves, your help with maintenance is beneficial to all. If you have a town catch basin near your property it would be very helpful and benefit everyone if you could help by maintaining that catch basin by clearing all debris around this area.