The Neponset River Watershed is covered in acres of pavement and other types of impervious surfaces that contribute to serious water quality problems.

Read below to learn how you can help to reduce water pollution in your community.

Residents

Make simple changes around your home. Limit lawn chemical use and always pick up after your dog!

Businesses

Maintain the area around your property and follow guidelines to reduce contaminants.

Construction

Protect your business and your clients by installing construction site stormwater best management practices.

Industry

Take steps to reduce or eliminate the cause of polluted runoff to minimize the risk of costly clean-ups.

The Neponset Stormwater Partnership (NSP) is a regional cooperation and resource-sharing program managed by the Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA).

Working in partnership with our cities and towns allows us to effectively assist our communities with their stormwater cleanup efforts at a lower cost, through economies of scale.

The work of the partnership includes:

  • creation of key EPA permit documents
  • production of regional public outreach materials
  • school programs
  • model stormwater bylaws
  • financing solutions

NSP partners include the towns of Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Milton, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, and Westwood, along with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC).

For more information about the NSP, contact NepRWA Advocacy Director, Kerry Snyder, snyder@neponset.org (781) 575-0354 x300

What is Stormwater?

When precipitation (rain or snow melt) falls on hard surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, driveways, and roofs, it can’t soak into the ground. Instead it runs off the surface and often makes it’s way to the storm drain system. This runoff is referred to as “stormwater.”

Along the way, this stormwater can become polluted by any materials left on the ground, such as oil, fertilizer, pet waste, cigarette butts, etc. These pollutants are then carried to the nearest storm drain along with the stormwater.

Water that flows into storm drains is discharged to the nearest waterway and is NOT treated or filtered. The pollutants carried by the stormwater greatly affect the health of drinking water, wildlife, and recreation in our local waterways.

Learn more about the Neponset River Watershed Association and the environmental programs they manage at neponset.org

The Neponset River Watershed Association is a grassroots, member-supported conservation group working since 1967 to clean up and protect the Neponset River, its tributaries, and surrounding watershed lands.

Watch the “rubber duckie” video to see how stormwater pollution spreads.