Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

888-590-9685
Request a Consultation
Request a Consultation

City of Nashua


The City of Nashua has enacted a Storm Water Ordinance in order to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.  The City of Nashua is the permitting authority for all land disturbing activities and requires the land owner to maintain all on-site stormwater control facilities and all open space areas (e.g. parks or “green” areas) required by the approved stormwater control plan. The City of Nashua will only provide construction permits to projects that establish a plan to manage stormwater runoff occurring during the construction process. The City of Nashua, under the NPDES program, also has the authority to inspect properties for noncompliance and can issue a notice of violation (NOV) for any deficiency or infraction onsite. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of any stormwater facilities or practices located on the property. The City of Nashua has the authority to inspect stormwater facilities and practices in order to ascertain that they properly maintained and functioning.

Stormwater Management Standards

The following stormwater management standards shall be applied to all subdivision and site plans.

Untreated stormwater.

  1. No new stormwater conveyances may discharge untreated stormwater directly to or cause erosion into wetlands or water bodies.
  2. Rooftop runoff is considered uncontaminated for the purposes of these standards and therefore does not require treatment.

Post-development peak discharge rates.

  1. Stormwater management systems must be designed so that the ten-year twenty-four-hour post-development peak discharge rate does not exceed the ten-year twenty-four-hour predevelopment peak discharge rates.
  2. In order to meet this standard, controls must be developed for the two-year, five-year, and the ten-year twenty-four-hour storm events. The hundred-year twenty-four-hour storm event must be evaluated to demonstrate that there will not be increased flooding impacts off site.
  3. Measurement of peak discharge rates shall be calculated using point of discharge or the down gradient property boundary. The topography of the site may require evaluation at more than one location if flow leaves the property in more than one direction. An applicant may demonstrate that a feature beyond the property boundary is more appropriate as a design point.

Recharge to groundwater.

Annual groundwater recharge rates shall be maintained by providing infiltration by the use of structural and nonstructural methods. The annual recharge from post development site conditions shall mimic the annual recharge from predevelopment site conditions. Best management practice (BMP) techniques to achieve recharge requirements include infiltration, bioretention, dry swale, and nonstructural techniques. Alternative techniques may be used if they meet the performance criteria stated herein and are approved by the Planning Board.

Water quality.

  1. For discharges to the Conservation Zone within the Water Supply Protection District, the runoff volume to be treated for water quality is calculated as 1.0 inch of runoff multiplied by the total impervious area of the post-development project site.
  2. For all other discharges, the runoff volume to be treated for water quality is calculated as 0.5 inch of runoff multiplied by the total impervious area of the post-development project site.
  3. Removal of 80% of the total suspended solids (TSS), floatables, greases, and oils. For new developments, stormwater management systems shall be designed to remove 80% of the average annual load of total suspended solids (TSS), floatables, greases, and oils after the site is developed. This standard is met when:
    1. The Planning Board determines that suitable nonstructural practices for source control and pollution prevention are implemented;
    2. Stormwater management best management practices (BMPs) capture the prescribed runoff volume; and
    3. Stormwater management BMPs are maintained as designed.

Critical areas land uses with higher potential pollutant loads.

Stormwater discharges from areas with high potential pollutant loads require the use of specific stormwater management BMPs, as detailed in this section. The use of infiltration practices without pretreatment is prohibited.

  1. The following uses are considered to create high potential pollutant loads:
    1. Any use requiring a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater discharge permit associated with industrial activity;
    2. Auto salvage yards/auto recycler facilities;
    3. Auto fueling facilities/gas stations;
    4. Fleet storage areas (cars, buses, trucks, public works);
    5. Vehicle service, maintenance and equipment cleaning areas;
    6. Retail parking lots;
    7. Road salt storage or loading areas if exposed to rainfall;
    8. Commercial nurseries;
    9. Metal rooftops, including roofs made from aluminum, tin, galvanized steel, copper, or rooftops which contribute significant pollutant loads;
    10. Outdoor storage and loading/unloading areas of hazardous substances;
    11. SARA 312 generators if materials or containers are exposed to rainfall; and
    12. The service, repainting, and hull maintenance areas of marinas.
  2. The following measures are required in addition to BMPs described in Subsection (1) above, within areas with high potential pollutant loads:
    1. Source reduction; and
    2. Pretreatment.
  3. The following are prohibited within areas with high potential pollutant loads located in a Conservation Zone:
    1. Infiltration trenches;
    2. Infiltration basins; or
    3. Dry wells.
  4. The following restrictions apply to certain BMPs within areas of high potential pollutant loads: Sand or organic filters, detention basins, wet ponds or constructed wetlands may be used only if sealed or lined.

Wetland or water bodies.

  1. BMPs approved for use within 300 feet of a wetland or water body unless otherwise prohibited are limited to:
    1. Extended detention basins;
    2. Wet ponds;
    3. Constructed wetlands;
    4. Water quality swales;
    5. Sand filters;
    6. Organic filters;
    7. Infiltration basins;
    8. Infiltration trenches; and
    9. Deep sump and hooded catch basins (used with other BMPs).
  2. Stormwater management systems should incorporate designs which allow for shutdown and containment in the event of an emergency spill or other unexpected contamination event.

Redevelopment.

Redevelopment of previously developed sites must meet the stormwater management standards to the maximum extent possible as determined by the Planning Board. The goal is to reduce impervious area by a minimum of 20% or meet the open space requirement in that zoning district. The application shall include a certification by a registered professional engineer as to compliance with this standard.

Erosion and sedimentation controls.

  1. Erosion and sedimentation controls must be implemented to prevent impacts during construction or land disturbance activities, and shall be properly installed prior to soil disturbance in the contributing drainage area.
  2. Whenever practical, natural vegetation shall be retained, protected or supplemented. Priority should be given to preserving natural drainage systems including perennial and intermittent streams, wetlands, swales, and drainage ditches for conveyance of runoff leaving the project area.
  3. Examples of BMPs for erosion and sedimentation control are staked straw bales, filter fences, hydroseeding, and phased development. Many stormwater BMP technologies (e.g., infiltration technologies) are not designed to handle high concentrations of sediments typically found in construction runoff and must be protected from construction-related sediment loadings. Construction BMPs must be maintained while construction or land disturbance activities continue.
  4. Measures shall meet as a minimum the Best Management Practices set forth in the “Hew Hampshire Stormwater Manual Volumes 1 through3”, and any published DES regulations.
  5. Off-site surface water and runoff from undisturbed areas shall be diverted away from disturbed areas where feasible or carried non-erosively through the project area. Integrity of downstream drainage systems shall be maintained.
  6. All temporary erosion and sediment control measures shall be removed after final site stabilization. Trapped sediment and other disturbed soil areas resulting from the removal of temporary measures shall be permanently stabilized within 30 days.

Stormwater management measures.

  1. Structural stormwater management measures to achieve recharge, water quality, and peak discharge control shall be structural BMP’s designed in accordance with the requirements of the following:
    1. New Hampshire Stormwater Manual, Volumes 1 through 3
    2. Best Management Practices for Urban Stormwater Runoff, published by NH DES, 1996, as amended.
    3. Innovative Stormwater Treatment Technologies Best Management Practices Manual, published by NH DES, May 2002, as amended.
  2. The performance criteria specified in the Design Manual with regard to general feasibility, conveyance, pretreatment, environment and landscaping, and maintenance shall be considered in the selection of a structural BMP.
  3. Structural stormwater management practices shall be selected to accommodate the unique hydrologic and geologic conditions of the site. Design computations must document these conditions.
  4. Nonstructural management measures may reduce or eliminate the need for structural BMPs to meet recharge, water quality, and peak discharge control requirements. These techniques, which include Runoff Prevention Methods (RPMs), are encouraged and shall be designed in accordance with the guidelines in the documents listed above. These techniques may include disconnection of rooftop and non-rooftop runoff, vegetated bio-cells and bio-islands, infiltration edges, dividers, or islands, planters, and rain gardens.

EASEMENTS

Where a subdivision is traversed by or requires the construction of a watercourse or a drainage way, an easement of adequate width shall be provided for such purpose.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLANS

Applicability.

All stormwater management systems shall have an operation and maintenance plan (O&M plan) to ensure that systems function as designed. This plan shall be reviewed and approved as a part of the site plan or subdivision plan. If the system is not dedicated to the City pursuant to a perpetual offer of dedication, the Planning Board may require an applicant to establish a homeowners association for residential projects or private entity to maintain the stormwater management system.

Minimum requirements.

The operation and maintenance plan shall, at a minimum, identify:

  1. Stormwater management system(s) owner(s);
  2. The party or parties responsible for operation and maintenance;
  3. A schedule for inspection and maintenance;
  4. The routine and non-routine maintenance tasks to be undertaken; and
  5. A certification signed by the owner(s) attesting to their commitment to comply with the O&M plan.

Establishment of O&M plan.

The stormwater management system owner is generally considered to be the landowner of the property, unless other legally binding agreements are established. Execution of the operation and maintenance plan shall be considered a condition of approval of any subdivision plan or site plan.

Recording.

  1. The owner shall provide covenants for filing with the registry of deeds, in a form satisfactory to the Planning Department, which provide that the obligations of the maintenance plan run with the land.
  2. The owner shall file with the registry of deeds such legal instruments as are necessary to allow the City or its designee to inspect or maintain the stormwater management systems for compliance with the O&M plan.

Modifications.

The owner shall keep the O&M plan current, including making modifications to the O&M plan as necessary to ensure that best management practices (BMPs) continue to operate as designed and approved. Proposed modifications of O&M plans shall be submitted to the Planning Department for review and approval. Also, the owner must notify the Planning Department within 30 days of a change in owner or party responsible for implementing the plan. Proposed changes in inspection frequency, maintenance schedule, or maintenance activity shall also be submitted, along with appropriate documentation, for review and approval. As part of the Planning Board review, the Division of Public Works may, in its discretion, approve a reduction in the frequency of inspection or maintenance or a change in maintenance activity, provided that the owner has demonstrated that such changes will not compromise the long-term function of the stormwater system. The Division of Public Works shall notify the owner of acceptance of the plan modification, or request additional information, within 60 days. No response from the Division of Public Works at the end of the 60 days shall constitute acceptance of the plan modification. The currently approved plan shall remain in effect until notification of approval has been issued, or the sixty-day period has lapsed. The owner shall provide covenants for filing with the registry of deeds, in a form satisfactory to the Planning Department, any changes and/or modifications to the plan.

Recordkeeping.

  1. The owner shall retain records (such as maintenance logs and contractor receipts) demonstrating compliance with the scheduled maintenance activities for a period of not less than three years. The City may request copies of such records, or may request inspection of such records on the property. Failure to produce such records or copies of such records within 14 days of such a request shall constitute a condition of noncompliance with site plan approval, subject to enforcement.
  2. The owner shall ensure that an annual report is provided to the Planning Department on or before the first day of January of each year. Such reports shall, at a minimum, include:
    1. The location of the property;
    2. The name, address, and phone number of the owner;
    3. The name, address, and phone number of the party responsible for maintenance if other than the owner;
    4. A brief description of the site uses and stormwater management system;
    5. A summary of inspections completed and the results of such inspections; and
    6. A summary of any maintenance activities or corrective actions undertaken.
  3. Annual reports shall be signed by the owner or other legally responsible party, and shall attest to the accuracy of information provided in the report. Failure to submit annual reports shall constitute a condition of noncompliance with site plan approval subject to enforcement.

Links

Nashua Stormwater Ordinance

Nashua Stormwater Funding Feasibility Study

Nashua Stormwater Website