Stormwater Management

Stormwater 101

The Town of Lancaster is proud to be implementing a Stormwater Management Plan in order to protect and ensure we have clean water for drinking, swimming, fishing, boating, and protecting wildlife. This involves monitoring stormwater and ensuring it does not become contaminated. With your help, we believe we can make this a possibility. You see, stormwater isn't treated before it falls into open water bodies. This means that whatever trash and debris is left on the ground to be washed away by rain or melting snow ends up directly in our water bodies. This is the water we drink, the water we swim in and play in, and the water that we used in our homes - to shower, do laundry, and dishes. Dirty water impacts us all. 

Outflow Drain

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that doesn't soak into the ground but instead flows over roofs, pavement, bare soil and lawns into storm drains or directly into water bodies.  As stormwater flows, it picks up  animal waste, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil and grease, litter and other pollutants.  Underground pipes carry stormwater to the nearest waterway, usually with little or no treatment.  Whatever flows down a storm drain comes out in a nearby water body, such as the Nashua River, Spectacle Pond, Fort Pond, White Pond, South Meadow Brook, and many other ponds and tributaries. Stormwater can have similar negative effects on drinking water leading to contamination. 

Curb Stormwater Pollution

Our Watershed and Why it Matters

Lancaster is grateful to be part of the Nashua River Watershed and all of the benefits it brings.  A watershed is the land area that drains into a river.  The Nashua Watershed is 37.5  miles comprised of 32 cities and towns.. The Nashua River is a tributary to the Merrimack River which spans Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Stormwater from the watershed effects the Nashua River, and all of the plants and animals that depend on it to live. There are seal, otter, flora, and fauna that are largely dependent on the Nashua River. Learn more about the Nashua Watershed.

Nashua River Watershed

How You Can Help

It can sometimes feel that your ability to help is limited when you are just one person, but stormwater is an issue where EVERY individual can help! By being aware of what is going into storm drains from your day to day activities, each individual has an important role in maintaining clean water. You can do this by picking up dog waste, ensuring trash is secure and not leaking, always use oil and drip pans when working on vehicles, not over-fertilizing lawns, and many more precautionary measures. For more tips on how you can do your part, follow these links:

Residents

Businesses

Developers

Industrial Facilities

Stormwater Related Documents

Residents are encouraged to review the Town's Stormwater Management information here. For Lancaster's Phosphorus report please look here. Any questions, comments or input regarding the plan can be emailed to jfarinacci@lancasterma.net