Ways You Can Help

Each of us contributes to stormwater pollution. If not by knowingly discarding items into the right of way, we unknowingly place or position materials that are removed by stormwater and introduced into our waterways. How you perform these activities will affect our stormwater quality.

There are many meaningful actions you can take around your home, landscape, and neighborhood to reduce stormwater runoff and prevent pollution. Many of the most common stormwater pollutants are found on residential properties and steps can be taken to lessen their impact on our local watershed.

Stormwater Drain Marking

One method of increasing awareness of water quality issues is through marking storm drains with small public education messages. This activity can be performed by volunteer groups in coordination with the Wellesley DPW. If your volunteer group is interested, please read the Guide to Storm Drain Marking and contact the Engineering division at dpw@wellesleyma.gov.

Natural Resources Commission

The Wellesley NRC has many wonderful educational resources on their website. Topics for homeowners to reduce stormwater pollution include composting, reducing pollutants from landscaping, and low impact development. In addition, the NRC regularly offers rain barrels to residents at a discounted rate.

Reduce Your Pollutants

Stormwater pollutants can come from a large number of sources. The following pamphlets cover commonly-found sources and methods for minimizing pollutants.

Build Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure is a method of managing stormwater that mimics the natural processes of infiltration and filtration. A popular type of green infrastructure for residential homes is a rain garden. Wonderfully simple, these “gardens” are depressions planted with typical landscaping vegetation and can be easily installed by homeowners. The University of Connecticut offers comprehensive step-by-step guides and videos for planning your own rain garden.

Think Blue Massachusetts

Is a statewide campaign that focus on bringing education on stormwater issues to a variety of residents. In addition to providing tips for homeowners, educational materials are available on reducing stormwater pollution for commercial businesses, industrial sites, and construction sites.

5th Grade Stormwater Curricula

Developed by WPI students and funded by MassDEP and the Central MA Regional Stormwater Coalition, this curricula focuses on teaching students about the water cycle and stormwater runoff and is available for free to educators.