Education & Outreach

There are a number of steps that residents of Hudson can take to make stormwater management improvements at their homes. Some of these steps include:

• Properly disposing, food waste, trash, debris, and pet waste. Learn How to Properly Dispose off Pet Waste and Important Facts on Pollutants (PDF).
• Properly storing fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
• Using fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides sparingly
• Pointing downspouts to a garden or a rain garden
• Learn more about Preventing Residential Stormwater Pollution (PDF).
• Did you know that 40% of pollutants found in our rivers and streams are from stormwater? View Stormwater Facts and How You Can Help (PDF).

Rain gardens are designed to capture stormwater runoff from a property. For rain gardens to work properly, specific plants and soil types must be used. For more information, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's Soak Up the Rain website, or this article written by Andy Darnley on Nationwide Lifts.

Interested in teaching your children about rain gardens? Check out My Rain Garden Coloring Book Developed by FEMA (PDF).

Pollution prevention is a requirement per the state and federal permits. Here is more information on Preventing Stormwater Pollution from Industrial Sites and Commercial Properties (PDF). Per the Multi-Sector General Permit, industrial sites should have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), which documents preventative measures to reduce stormwater pollution during industrial operations. Adhere to the SWPPP. In addition to a SWPPP, industrial sites must have spill prevention and Response Procedures in place. Certain sites may trigger a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan. To check if your site may require an SPCC Plan, review the applicability section within the EPA's website. For more information, please review Hudson's Industrial Brochure (PDF).

Before construction, developers must ensure that erosion controls are installed and maintained per their approved plans and/or Stormwater Management Plan. This includes installation of silt fences to prevent sediment tracking from leaving construction site, installing jutte netting to prevent exposed slopes, and protecting drainage infrastructure with silt sacks. The Town's Developers Brochure goes in-depth with these details and more.

Businesses, commercial, and institutional sites can employ a number of practices to improve stormwater runoff quality and prevent pollution. More information about environmentally safe and cost effective guidelines are available in the Commercial Stormwater Pollution Prevention brochure (PDF). A pollution prevention plan will benefit both the business and the environment, Review Tips (PDF) as you prepare the plan:

• Educate employees on the do's and don'ts of your site's drainage system
• Properly collecting and disposing leaf litter and grass clipping
• Regularly clean and maintain parking areas, and access roads, See Winter De-Icing Tips (PNG).
• Sparingly use and apply fertilizers to landscaped areas
• Containerize trash bins, oils, greases, and pesticides