A stormwater drain that empties into the river.

RIPDES Stormwater Phase II Program

This program is mandated under an EPA rule of 1990 to address polluted runoff entering stormwater systems in municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and eventually discharging into a waterbody such as a river or bay.

Municipalities deemed "urbanized areas" by U.S. Census data are required to undergo stormwater retrofitting to comply with new regulations. Municipalities on the "urban fringe" may apply for a waiver and forego regulation of MS4s.

All the communities in the Woonasquatucket River watershed are either required or eligible for Phase II regulation.

Federal guidelines dictate that the MS4 operator must:

1. Apply for a RIPDES permit and incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) for
   1. Public Education and Outreach on Storm Water Impacts
   2. Public Involvement/Participation
   3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
   4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control Program
   5. Post Construction Storm Water Management in new development and redevelopment
   6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
2. Achieve measurable goals for each minimum control measure
3. Develop an implementation schedule including interim milestones and frequency of activities
4. Report all results

Draft regulations (developed in a collaborative effort with DEM, Departments of Public Works, town planners and engineers, and others) are due to be submitted to the EPA by mid-February.

Although the watershed approach is not written into the regulations explicitly, communities that are tied to a watershed managing body (such as the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council) may be eligible for an extension of the timetable.

Visit the RIPDES Stormwater Phase II website for more information.