Bridgewater State University, MS4 Permit

Bridgewater, MA
Key Elements
  • MS4 permit compliance
  • Operation and Maintenance training
  • Public involvement and participation

Since 2017, Nitsch has provided on-going stormwater planning services to support Bridgewater State University (BSU) in complying with the 2016 Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit. Over the last three years, Nitsch has supported the development of BSU’s stormwater program to align with the six minimum control measures outlined by the MS4 permit:

  1. Public Education and Outreach
  2. Public Involvement and Participation
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
  4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
  5. Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Re-Development
  6. Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention

Nitsch meets with BSU’s Stormwater Management Committee on a regular basis to proactively move permit initiatives forward. We prepare and present the Public Involvement and Participation programs, develop campus-specific IDDE and Operations and Maintenance training for Facilities Maintenance staff, and assist with annual stormwater-related notifications and website updates.

A notable achievement includes completing the Phase I mapping, which incorporated considerable Phase II information to assist with refining outfalls and interconnections with the City of Bridgewater’s drainage system ahead of the dry weather screening and sampling required by the IDDE program. By detailing the drainage system ahead of schedule, Nitsch supported BSU in refining catchment delineations to specific interconnection points, thereby accelerating their catchment investigation program. We also provided dry weather screening services in concert with BSU staff, including analysis of the analytical measurements and re-prioritization of outfalls based on sampling results.

Nitsch developed the required policies and procedures, as well as a staff training program for construction activities, new and re-development projects, and operation and maintenance of the stormwater system. We conduct maintenance inspections for BSU’s catch basins and stormwater BMPs on campus.

Key Collaborator

Owner: Bridgewater State University