Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)” the Town of Newmarket is responsible for implementing and performing various plans and activities related to stormwater management. The current MS4 General Permit became effective July 1, 2018.
As an operator of an MS4, the Town is required to develop, implement, and enforce a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). The SWMP is a 'living document' intended to be revised and updated as needed, but at a minimum, annually. The primary goals of the SWMP are to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable, to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA). To achieve these goals, the Town implements certain Minimum Control Measures (MCMs), which include:
- Public Education and Outreach (see Stormwater Resources)
- Public Involvement/Participation
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program
- Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment Projects
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
The Town’s progress regarding implementation of these MCMs, and the SWMP in general, is documented in Annual Reports submitted to both the EPA and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Protection (NHDES). These Annual Reports and other SWMP documents are available for public viewing online (see links below) or by contacting the Engineering Department. If you have questions about the SWMP or wish to provide written comments, please contact Lyndsay Butler, Town Engineer and SWMP Team Coordinator or share them via the following webform: SWMP Comments