Programs
and Projects
Stormwater Clean-Up
IRWA collaborates with watershed communities on projects to clean up polluted stormwater runoff. When it rains, stormwater runoff flows across roofs, roads, and parking lots, picking up pollutants like oils and greases from cars, lawn fertilizers, and pet waste. This polluted runoff then flows into storm drains and into streams and the Ipswich River. Polluted stormwater runoff is the most significant water quality problem facing the Ipswich River, and contributes to shellfish bed closures in the estuary.
IRWA assists communities in managing stormwater and using low-impact development (LID) strategies to preserve and restore natural drainage patterns. Examples of IRWA's work to clean up stormwater pollution include:
IRWA has also developed a resource for communities: Water Wise Communities - A Handbook for Municipal Managers in the Ipswich River Watershed. The handbook provides a checklist and fact sheets summarizing 20 tools that communities can use to manage water resources and restore the Ipswich River. Many of these tools address stormwater clean-up.
In November 2005, IRWA held the second River Restoration Conference, which focused on highlighting water conservation and low-impact development opportunities to municipal officials and interested members of the public. Conference proceedings are summarized here (Word format).
In 2001-2002, IRWA worked with the towns of Middleton and Danvers to develop components of a source water protection plan. The project located stormwater catchments and discharge points, recommended stormwater best management practices (BMPs) to protect the Emerson Brook Reservoir, and reviewed emergency response readiness of the water supply system. The final report is available here (pdf).
IRWA is available to give workshops and make presentations to town boards and interested parties.
Please contact IRWA at irwainfo@ipswichriver.org for more information.
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