Stormwater

What is Stormwater

It is simply any water that comes in contact with or collects on the ground. Stormwater includes rainwater runoff, snow melt, or other water that flows to streams, wetlands, and other waterbodies such as our reservoirs.wastewater_picture


What's the Problem

As it flows, stormwater runoff collects and transports animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil and grease, soil, and other potential pollutants. Rain and snowmelt wash pollutants from streets, construction sites, and land into storm sewers and ditches. Eventually, these empty the polluted stormwater directly into streams and rivers with no treatment. This is known as stormwater pollution.

Toxic substances from motor vehicles and careless application of pesticides and fertilizers threaten water quality and can kill fish and other aquatic life. Bacteria from animal wastes and improper connections to storm sewer systems can make lakes and waterways unsafe for wading, swimming, and fish consumption. Eroded soil is a pollutant as well. It clouds the waterway and interferes with the habitat of fish and plant life.

Are sanitary sewer systems and storm sewer systems the same? No. Water that goes down a sink or other inside drain flows to either a wastewater treatment plant or to a septic system for treatment. Storm sewer flows are not treated. Water that flows down driveways, streets, and outside areas into a storm sewer or ditch flows directly to nearby creeks, fish and wildlife habitats, downstream recreational areas, and drinking water supplies.wastewater2

There are many types of pollutants that find their way into storm drains. Some common pollutants found in storm sewers and creeks include:

  • Animal waste
  • Litter
  • Motor oil
  • Yard clippings
  • Fertilizers and pesticides
  • Soapy car wash water
  • Eroded sediment from construction projects

It's important to remember that any type of surface water runoff, not just rainfall, can run into the storm sewer and collect in the stormwater management system. For example, when you wash your car on the driveway, that water, dirt, and grime ends up in the system. That's why we need to be careful with what we put into the storm sewers as traces of all this material can end up in the stormwater system and our local waterways.

Spills & Violations

Please contact the Bellingham DPW at 508-966-5816 if you are aware of any spills or violations.
Updated 4/16/2025

The following images are informational plaques at 2 stormwater basins. These are a couple of ways we provide information on stormwater structures, how they work and website links to our stormwater program.

Town Hall basin

Town Hall sign update

Middle School basin

Middle School basin area sign

2025 RAIN BARREL PROGRAM


Welcome to the 2025 Rain Barrel program. Please see the Press Release about the program and how to order one. This was the 4th year of this program in Bellingham. As we have had the pick up of rain barrels already, feel free to order your own from The Great American Rain Barrel Company using information in the link below.

Press Release

~ Stormwater Team

Stormwater Utility

In 2019, Bellingham Town Meeting adopted a stormwater utility which was implemented with the Fall 2020 billing. This utility is a charge to all property owners to fund the stormwater management services of the Town. The fee varies depending on property use and impervious surfaces which can increase with certain work done on your property. These Federally mandated services consist of:

  • Transfer, control, conveyance, or movement of stormwater runoff through the Town
  • Maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing Stormwater Management Systems and Facilities
  • Planning, development, design, and construction of new, expanded, or upgraded Stormwater Management Systems and Facilities to:
    • meet current and anticipated needs
    • reduce the discharge of stormwater pollutants to wetlands or waterways
    • ensure that the rate or volume of runoff discharged to wetlands or waterways approximates pre-development hydrology
    • prevent or remediate flood damage
  • Regulation of the use of stormwater management services, systems, and facilities on public or private properties in Bellingham
  • Compliance with applicable state and federal stormwater management regulations and permit requirements.

Program documents

For more information