Worcester, MA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Stormwater management in Worcester County is governed by multiple overlapping frameworks. The MA Wetlands Protection Act (MGL c. 131, §40) and 310 CMR 10.00 require Conservation Commission review for any work within 100 feet of a wetland resource or 200 feet of a perennial stream. The MassDEP Stormwater Handbook and Stormwater Standards (310 CMR 10.05(6)(k)) apply to projects requiring wetlands permits, mandating 10 specific standards including peak runoff control, recharge, TSS removal (80% for new development), and operation/maintenance plans. Worcester County MS4 communities operate under the 2016 EPA Massachusetts Small MS4 General Permit, which requires adoption of stormwater bylaws (typically including Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination ordinance, construction site stormwater, and post-construction standards for sites disturbing 1+ acres). The City of Worcester's Stormwater Ordinance (Revised Ordinances Chapter 12) and Leominster's Stormwater Management Bylaw are representative. The Blackstone River, Nashua River, and Quinebaug River watersheds within Worcester County have additional TMDL-driven requirements. Low Impact Development (LID) techniques — bioretention, permeable pavement, rain gardens — are required or strongly encouraged under MassDEP Standard 1.