The Neponset Stormwater Partnership (NSP) is a regional cooperation and resource-sharing program in the Neponset Watershed that was formed to help reduce the water quality problems caused by polluted stormwater runoff.
NSP is managed by the Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA), a non-profit grass-roots organization founded in 1967, with a mission to protect and restore the natural resources of the Neponset River, its tributaries, and surrounding watershed lands for the benefit of present and future generations.
Stormwater System Management
Cities and towns typically manage stormwater runoff through a storm drainage system, which in its simplest form is a series of pipes under the ground that allows the water to flow off of hard surfaces and into a local waterway.
Local stormwater management is governed by the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, jointly administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). The purpose of the permit is to reduce stormwater pollution.
NepRWA staff work with Neponset Watershed towns through the NSP to support their compliance with the permit as effectively and efficiently as possible.
The work of the NSP includes:
- Development and distribution of regional public outreach materials
- Development and delivery of specialized stormwater and water conservation curriculum to fifth-grade students
- Development of model stormwater regulations and technical assistance for implementation
- Education about potential stormwater management financing solutions (and supporting the implementation of those solutions)
For more information about the NSP, contact NepRWA Managing Director for Community Resilience, Kerry Snyder, at snyder@neponset.org or (781) 575-0354 x300