Stormwater Management Program
Announcements
- Salem Stormwater Management Plan - Click this link and then download to computer - You will NOT be able to view in your browser
- Year 3 Annual Stormwater Report - Click this link and then download to computer - You will NOT be able to view in your browser
- CMRSC Training Video Recording
- CMRSC Training Presentation PDF
- Greenscapes & SDE Training Video Recording
- Greenscapes & SDE Training Presentation PDF
- Massachusetts Stormwater Report (2017)
- Massachusetts Stormwater Resources (EPA)
- Low Impact Development Toolkit
- Greenscapes Services for FY2020
- Buy a Rainbarrel!
- Visit Green Salem!
- EPA "Soak Up the Rain" Program
See Where We Are Working on Stormwater and Climate Issues
What is Stormwater Runoff?
Stormwater runoff results when precipitation from rain and snowmelt flows over the landscape and does not soak into the ground due to impervious surfaces, carrying pollutants into waterways and the ocean. Impervious surfaces are areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, streets and other surfaces that prevent water from soaking into the ground. Stormwater is a major source of inland flooding and coastal pollution in Salem.
The amount of stormwater runoff we see every rainstorm is a direct parallel to the amount of paved and hardened surfaces that cover our landscape. Solutions can include rain gardens and bio-swales, Low-impact Development, promoting urban green space and using rain barrels and other rain storage systems.
Municipal strategies to managing stormwater come in the form of an effective and well-maintained stormwater drainage system (storm drains, drainage pipes and outfalls), rain gardens, bioswales, public education, and stormwater management policy. To read Salem's management plan for stormwater, please visit the downloadable files section at the bottom of this page! To learn more about Massachusetts MS4 Stormwater permitting, please click here!
Why Should We Reduce our Stormwater Runoff?
Water Quality - As the runoff flows over impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, plastics, oils, pet waste, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants. The pollutants picked up by the runoff are either transported directly into the nearby waterbodies or washed into the city's collection system then discharged into local rivers/streams and the ocean. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies indicate that stormwater runoff is one of the most significant sources of non-point source water pollution.
Water Quantity - Rain and snowmelt that do not soak into the ground, runoff increasing the flows entering the city’s drainage system. When the drainage system is at capacity surface ponding and flooding may occur. Runoff also reduces the groundwater table and recharges surface water much faster resulting and rivers and streams rising above their banks.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?
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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP?
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To learn more about stormwater runoff, please visit the Massachusetts Greenscapes Coalition
To learn more about solutions to stormwater runoff in Salem, please visit Salem Sound Coastwatch or call the Engineering Department at 978-745-9595
Attachment | Size |
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Take the Greenscapes Pledge! | 874.4 KB |
Stormwater and Dog Waste Rack Card | 2.44 MB |
Stormwater Pollution Rack Card | 499.45 KB |
Greenscapes Outreach Guide | 2.3 MB |
Low Impact Development Toolkit | 2.13 MB |