Milford Receives Grant for Stormwater Treatment

From MassDEP:

The Baker-Polito Administration announced Tuesday that nine projects targeting water pollution from storm water runoff and erosion have been recommended for more than $1.28 million in grants utilizing funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“It is vitally important that we address the effects of polluted storm runoff on Massachusetts waterways to protect both our environment and public health,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through the administration of this grant program, we are able to work with the federal government to provide our local and regional partners the resources needed to improve water quality.”

“To keep our communities healthy, we must help them maintain a clean and safe system of water resources,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “These water protection grants will help local officials identify stormwater issues and address them promptly.”

The grants distributed includes $225,290 for Lower Huckleberry Brook stormwater treatment. The total project cost is $376,038.

The grant program focuses on the implementation of measures to control nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to surface and groundwater. Unlike pollution from industrial facilities and sewage treatment plants, NPS pollution is unregulated and comes from a variety of sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground waters.

“One of the most serious challenges to water quality in our waterways and wetlands is nonpoint source pollution,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “These grants will help local officials, regional organizations and stakeholder groups to make a difference in the quality of our drinking water, watersheds, aquatic recreational areas and the fish stocks that live in these waterways.”

Common types of NPS pollution include phosphorus and nitrogen from lawn and garden fertilizers and agricultural operations, bacteria from pet waste and waterfowl, oil and grease from parking lots and roadways and sediment from construction activities and soil erosion.

“These grants allow us to continue to build strong bonds with our regional and municipal partners to help control nonpoint source contamination,” said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “These investments are critical to preserving and protecting clean water ecosystems across the Commonwealth.”

These projects will help to protect Massachusetts’ water resources by restoring and preserving watershed areas, constructing best management practices (BMPs), demonstrating innovative technologies, and educating the public on how to protect sensitive natural resources. Recipients include municipalities, regional planning agencies, and private consultants.

Each of these projects was reviewed and approved by MassDEP’s regional and program staff and the MassDEP/Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Proposal Review Committee. Funding for the projects will be available in early 2016, pending final EPA approval of the projects.