Developers and Contractors

Developers and contractors doing work in the City have a responsibility to protect our waterways as well. A series of best practices and regulations regarding catch basin protection and erosion and settlement control practices can be found below. For information regarding the Stormwater Control Permit please click here and see Wastewater and Stormwater Guidance below.

Wastewater and Stormwater Guidance:

The Wastewater and Stormwater Management Guidance document was developed to provide guidance for construction projects, development and redevelopment projects in the City of Cambridge (City) to ensure that measures are taken throughout the project to address erosion, nonpoint source pollution, and flood control. These measures are necessary to protect the City of Cambridge’s infrastructure, and natural Water Resources, and to ensure that the City complies with the provisions of the Clean Water Act and the City’s permits issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through their National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) programs specific to stormwater (Phase II) and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO). Water conveyed through the City’s combined sewer and stormwater drainage systems to the Charles River, Little River, Alewife Brook and other water bodies within the City is regulated by these permits. Water Resources, as referred to throughout this Guidance document, are lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater.

This DPW guidance document is in the process of being updated and is expected to be available in 2024. Prior to the full update also refer to any issued Directives.

June 2021 Supplemental Directive to Wastewater and Stormwater Management Guidance.

Wastewater and Stormwater Management Guidance_ Draft_May 2008

Appendix A: Best Management Practices_Draft_March 2008
Appendix B: Common Pollutants_Draft_January 2008
Appendix C: TMDL Information_Refer to Attachment A in 2021 Supplemental Directive
Appendix D: Technical Basis for Stormwater Quantity Guidelines
Appendix E: Example Calculations for Water Quality Control Runoff Volume_Draft_January 2008
Appendix F: Cambridge 2070 Projected Event (Refer to June 2021 Supplemental Directive
Appendix G: Stormwater Control Permit Checklists_September 2019