NPDES/MS4 Stormwater Permit

Stormwater discharges in the Town of Dennis are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Permit Program. Under this program, Dennis was required to obtain NPDES permit coverage under the 2003 and 2016 "General Permit for Stormwater Discharges form Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)" for its stormwater discharges. This permit program was created with the intention of improving the quality of the nation’s waterways by reducing pollutant loads associated with stormwater runoff.

Under this permit, Dennis is required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Stormwater Management Program (SWMP), which identifies Best Management Practices (BMPs) the Town will implement to address the following six “minimum control measures" (MCMs) required by the permit:

 MCM 1-Public Education and Outreach

MCM 2-Public Participation

MCM 3-Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

MCM 4-Management of Construction Site Runoff Control

MCM 5-Management of Post-Construction Runoff Control

MCM-6-Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Dennis submitted its first NOI to discharge under the permit to EPA and MassDEP in 2003. A second NOI was filed in 2018 to meet the 2016 permit requirements. The 2018 NOI summarizes Dennis' proposed SWMP to comply with the permit, which is detailed further in Dennis' written Stormwater Management Program (SWMP Plan) and Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE Plan). Dennis must submit Annual Reports to EPA and MassDEP by September 28th of each year summarizing the progress of its SWMP. The NOI and Annual Reports are available on EPA's website. To provide comment on our stormwater management plan, please contact Thomas Andrade, Town Engineer at tandrade@town.dennis.ma.us.

For additional NPDES information, please click on the following links:

Massachusetts Small MS4 General Permit

NPDES Stormwater Permit Program in New England

Regulated MS4 in Massachusetts Communities

Town of Dennis NPDES Documents

  1. Dennis NOI
  2. DEP Authorization Letter
  3. Dennis SWMP Plan
  4. Dennis IDDE Plan
  5. DEP Regulated Map
  6. Dennis Year 6 Annual Report

Public Outreach Messages

  1. Leaf Brochure
  2. Think Blue Pet Waste
  3. Commercial Waste Message
  4. Dennis Fertilizer WIC
  5. Spring Fertilizer and Lawn Care Message
  6. Homeowner Runoff
  7. Fertilizer Message
  8. Construction Site Runoff
  9. Rain Gardening (PDF)