Stormwater

The City of Westfield is classified as a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). There exists two independent conveying structures, one for stormwater and one for wastewater (or sewage), within the City. The stormwater system is comprised of catch basins and associated piping, which are designed to drain water from our parking lots and roadways. See the city ordinance that establishes and defines the stormwater management division to read about its responsibilities and duties.

The City of Westfield is a member of the Connecticut River Stormwater Committee.  The Connecticut River Stormwater Committee is a coalition of 19 communities and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and is facilitated in its work by the Pioneer Valley Planning  Commission.  The group's primary work is to promote education and outreach about stormwater impacts on the Connecticut River and its tributaries such as the Westfield River.  The coalition works to share information and collaborate on fulfilling obligations under the EPA stormwater permit.

Check out the Stomwater Committee's website here.

Stormwater Drainage and Compliance Presentation (MS4 101) 2018

 Stormwater Management Plan 2022

Code Assessment 2022

Understanding Stormwater

Rain Barrel Program

The City of Westfield has partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer rain barrels at a discounted rate of $69.00 each. To purchase please visit the company website   https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/ and select Westfield from the drop down menu.  The last day to order is June 2, 2021 and pick-up is scheduled for June 9, 2021.

Infrastructure

  • 720 Streets totaling 252 linear miles
  • 127 miles of wastewater system
  • 117 miles of stormwater system that drains into over 300 stormwater "outfalls" - a point where a conveyance of stormwater discharges into a stream, lake, or wetland.

Stormwater Runoff

Stormwater runoff is precipitation from rain or snow melt that flows over impervious surfaces and enters a storm sewer system and is discharged into the water bodies that we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

Any surface that does not allow water to penetrate or pass through it is considered impervious. The roofs on homes and buildings as well as sidewalks, driveways and parking lots are all impervious surfaces. Rainwater and snow melt do not penetrate these surfaces, therefore they allow “stormwater runoff.”

Stormwater Pollution

As rain and snow melt flow over the ground, they may pick up pollutants such as debris, chemical, and dirt. These pollutants are then deposited into the storm sewer system and then are carried into water bodies. This water is untreated, and if it has picked up pollutants, this water along with the pollutants enters the water bodies and is considered “stormwater pollution.”

Stormwater Management Plan Control Measures

  • Public Outreach
  • Public Participation and Involvement
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  • Construction Site Runoff Control
  • Post Construction Stormwater Management
  • Municipal Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

Abatement

To file an abatement with the Department of Public Works, please follow the instructions and and fill out the Stormwater Abatement Form.