Stormwater Management Efforts in Ipswich

Stormwater is now a primary source of pollutants in our surface waters nationwide, following the significant federal effort under the Clean Water Act to improve wastewater (sewage) treatment and discharges over the last several decades.  Stormwater is a complex issue, but one that we in Ipswich are working hard to address.

Ipswich has been a leader in addressing water quality impairments and taking stewardship of our critical resources, including the Great Marsh, the Ipswich River, Plum Island Sound, the Egypt River, the various streams that traverse our community, our drinking water supplies, and our renowned shellfish beds.  Our water quality improvement efforts are highlighted particularly by a significant report developed by the Ipswich Coastal Pollution Control Committee entitled, Coastal Stormwater Remediation Plan for the Town of Ipswich (February 2000). 

The Ipswich Department of Public Works and the Town of Ipswich have also been undertaking numerous measures to improve stormwater management and water quality throughout the Town in accordance with our Stormwater General Permit.  These include:

• Installation of a sand filter and two water quality control units in the North Green area to improve the quality of stormwater discharges to the Ipswich River;
  
  
• Investigation and development of preliminary improvement plans for stormwater infrastructure within the Farley Brook watershed in the densely developed downtown area;
  
  
• Development of an asset management system within the Department of Public Works to track infrastructure maintenance and improvement;
  
  
• Participation by Public Works Staff in stormwater training sessions;
  
  
• Installation of a vibrant vegetated “green roof” on the Whipple School Annex building adjacent to Town Hall; and
  
  
• Development and adoption of the Ipswich Stormwater Management Bylaw (download here).
  
  
• Development and adoption of two sets of Stormwater Management Regulations to implement a Connection and Discharge Permit program (download regulations here) and a Stormwater Management Permit program (download regulations here).

Low Impact Development

One important concept that is incorporated into the Ipswich Stormwater Management Bylaw and Stormwater Management Permit Program is the concept of Low Impact Development (LID).  Applicants requesting a Stormwater Management Permit from the Town of Ipswich are encouraged to use LID techniques as much as possible when designing their projects.

LID:  An approach to environmentally friendly land use planning and stormwater management that includes a suite of landscaping and design techniques that attempt to maintain the natural, pre-developed ability of a site to manage rainfall.  LID techniques typically preserve natural drainage characteristics and/or capture water on site, filter it through vegetation, and let it soak into the ground where it can recharge the local water table rather than becoming surface runoff.