The Joseph R. Dawe, Jr. Elementary School received a major green infrastructure upgrade thanks to a partnership between the Stoughton Engineering Department, the Neponset River Watershed Association, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
In Spring 2021, crews completed work on an infiltration basin near the school. This basin collects stormwater runoff from a 25-acre area and allows it to soak into the ground, removing pollutants in the process. This helps to alleviate the stress on the storm drain system and Beaver Meadow Brook.
Projects like these are essential to protecting our waterways from the issue of stormwater pollution, but there are also smaller, more local actions you can take to prevent pollution from occurring in the first place. Common pollutants include oil, dirt, car wash soap, leaves, grass clippings, fertilizers, and pet waste, to name a few.
Follow these tips to prevent stormwater pollution and protect our local waterways!
- Always pick up after your pet and throw the waste away in a trash can.
- Sweep up, bag, or compost all yard waste. Do not leave it near the road.
- Minimize fertilizer use and sweep up any dry chemical spills.
- Wash cars on the lawn or where the water can flow into a grassy area.
- Use pavers, bricks, or stones for patios or walkways to minimize runoff.
- Turn downspouts so they face your lawn, garden, or shrubs.
- Visit the Residents page to learn even more things you can do!
This project was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). The contents of this webpage do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA or MassDEP.