Stormwater Management

Just a friendly reminder: Please do not rake, blow, or dump leaves, grass clippings, or other yard waste into storm drains. Littering in storm drains causes flooding and pollutes our water bodies without any filtration. We encourage you to mulch and compost these items for your gardens next year, or bag them and bring them to Plymouth Farm Supply at 1000 Plymouth Street (Route 104) in Bridgewater.

Please Clean Your Pets Wastepet waste-Residents-FlyerPet waste left on lawns or in parks drains into stormwater drains, that do NOT have any filtration systems, and drain into public outlets. Cleaning up your pets waste helps prevent pollution of our waterways.

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The Town of Bridgewater 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. 

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 Taunton River, Lake Nippenicket, Town River, and many other ponds and brooks. Stormwater can have similar negative effects on drinking water. 


STORMDRAIN-DIAGRAM-BY-NF-2
Our Watershed and Why it Matters

Bridgewater is grateful to be part of the Taunton River Watershed and all of the benefits it brings.  A watershed is the land area that drains into a river.  The Taunton Watershed is 562 square miles comprised of 20 cities and towns and includes portions of an additional 23 cities and towns. The Taunton River is the largest undammed coastal river in New England, with 40 miles of free-flowing water. Stormwater from the watershed effects the Taunton River, and all of the plants and animals that depend on it to live. There are seal, otter, 29 species of fish, and over 154 species of bird living in or on the Taunton River. Most local authorities believe the Taunton River is the most ecologically diverse waterbody in the state. Learn more about the Taunton Watershed.
Taunton-Watershed Map
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 Program.  Any questions, comments or input regarding the plan can be emailed to CED@bridgewaterma.org.

kids playing on river edge
Want to know more about Think Blue Massachusetts?

Think Blue is a Massachusetts stormwater educational campaign devoted to helping residents and businesses do their part to reduce pollution. We Think Blue in Bridgewater. If you're into Thinking Blue too, go to thinkbluemassachusetts.org to learn more!
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