Wilton's Stormwater Program
Summary
The purpose of the EPA’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program is to mitigate the effects of storm water pollution.
Rainwater that falls on paved streets, lawns, parking lots, and sidewalks becomes polluted stormwater. The more impervious the surface, the more stormwater runoff and impact to receiving water bodies. Typical pollutants in stormwater are trash, oil, fertilizers, sediment, sand, and bacteria. In fact, 40% of known pollution to the nation’s waters is caused by stormwater.
Wilton must comply with the requirements of MS4, and we have submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to comply. The links section of this page provides more details on our plans.
We have six ways we are working to clean up the stormwater in Wilton before it reaches our beautiful riverways.
1. Education
Get the Scoop on Poop! - Information from our Spokes-pooch for Dog Owners
Draft Wilton Scoop the Poop Flyer
Greenworks Scoop the Poop Flyer
Get Pumped! - Information for Homeowners with Septic Systems
Get Pumped Fact Sheet
Green Grass Clear Water - Information on how to maintain a healthy lawn and a healthy river
Green Grass & Clean Water 2023 Fact Sheet
Fertilizer Fact Sheet
Rake it or Leave it Brochure
Developer Outreach
Developer Outreach Letters - Mailed in June 2022
Industrial Outreach
Industrial Outreach Letters - Mailed in September 2023
Industrial Outreach Fact Sheet 2023
Green Snow Pro Fact Sheet 2023
2. Public Involvement
2023
2023 Town Wide Cleanup - Wilton is proud to say that AGAIN a large number of citizen volunteers organized and conducted another truly massive cleanup of town roadways and adjacent areas. The cleanup occurred along approximately the same 68 miles of roadway that the 2022 roadway cleanup around, and had dozens and dozens of resident volunteers collecting trash in donated trash bags and dropping them off at the Wilton Recycling Center free of charge for processing.
Souhegan Sustainability Fair - Also on Saturday, April 15th 2023, parts of the Town of Wilton's Storm water team participated in the first Soughegan Sustainability Fair since the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed the once popular event. Wilton's Storm water manager attended the event, set up an informational table, and spoke to approximately 45 individuals about MS4 Regulation, the benefits and effects of storm water management, and how every household can help contribute to cleaning up the town's impaired waterways. Around 29 of those who spoke to the storm water manager were Wilton residents, while 11 were from neighboring New Hampshire communities, and the remaining were either from farther away in New Hampshire or were visitors from out of state . The Storm water manager also distributed approximately 18 informational flyers for some of the town and state's storm water management programs (Get Pumped! Green Grass Clear Water, and Scoop the Poop). Approximately 24 other MS4 informational promotional documents or products were also distributed.
2022
Town Hall Rain Garden
On the morning of Sunday, August 7th 2022,
volunteers gathered at Cooley Park on the northwest side of town hall
to help dig and plant a rain garden, an arrangement of plants meant to
help direct and contain storm water runoff. For a full report and more
pictures, CLICK HERE. Below is a picture from the day of install and the same location in September of 2023 a whole year later!
Storm drain Murals
Storm drain murals! The students in Emily Hall's art class learned about stormwater, took a field trip to see stormwater infrastructure, and then each created a storm drain mural to remind viewers to be responsible stewards of our waterways.
In April 2022, three students painted their murals on storm drains in Wilton. There is one the Gregg Free and Wilton Public Librar
y at the entrance from the back parking lot.
The Police Department has one next to their building reminding visitors not to dump trash. And Florence Rideout Elementary School has one mural were the frogs are looking at the trash and wondering what these strange lily pads are floating
the water.
All the student's murals are available at the Gregg Free and Wilton Public library. Check out this inspiring art show!
Road Side clean up of 68 miles of roads
In a two week window of time, nearly 800 bags of trash were removed from 68 miles of roads in Wilton. This was a monumental effort
by everyone in town from kindergarteners to great grandparents! This event was incorporated into Earth Day celebrations at both public schools.
Blue bags were available at Town Hall as well as a few other locations.
And the fun continued afterward. An old tire dump was discovered and over 40 tires were removed as part of a team effort with residents, the DPW and the Recycling center!
2021
Storm drain stenciling! - 10 students from High Mowing High School and two adults led the effort to stencil the storm drains in Wilton. Approximately 30 storm drains were stenciled in an afternoon. This gentle reminder helps keep solid waste out of the waterways of Wilton.
Town-wide clean up - residents picked up over 73 bags of trash and solid waste. Residents picked up blue bags and gloves at various locations in Wilton including Town Hall. On clean up day, blue bags were gathered and transported to the Recycling Center by our Emergency Services Director, Dave Boissonnault. Participants were encouraged to post photos on social media with the #hashtag #NHMS4 and #Wilton4Stormwater.
2020
Michele Decoteau, Stormwater Manager was on the Podcast: Before the Checks are Signed on March 4, 2020, discussing stormwater and the MS4 Permit. Listen here!
2018
The presentation summarizes Wilton’s stormwater program plans and was approved at the Select Board meeting on October 22, 2018. Wilton's Stormwater Program presentation
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) - coming soon!
IDDE Plan
IDDE Ordiannce
SSO Inventory - None to Report as of June 31st 2023
Stormwater system mapping - See IDDE Plan
Training - See IDDE Plan
4. Stormwater Management at Construction Sites
Stormwater regulations for new construction - Section H of the Wilton Land Use Regulations addresses stormwater for new construction.
5. Post Construction Stormwater Management - coming soon!
Stormwater regulations for Post -construction
Green infrastructure
Raingardens
6. Good Housekeeping
Operation and Maintenance for Town-owned properties
Library Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (Draft)
Fire Department Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (Draft)
Police Station Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (Draft)
Recycling Center Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
Town Hall (in Development)
Year 4 Specific Requirements
Hot Spot Summary
Hot Spot Inventory
Regulation Assessment Report
Stormwater Regulation Review
IDDE Ordinance