The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said yesterday it would be focusing on improved stormwater management across New Hampshire.

CONCORD, N.H. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would work to improve New Hampshire’s water quality by focusing on improved stormwater management across the state yesterday.

In a release, the EPA said a new permit (which EPA issued in 2017 but has not yet taken effect) will update stormwater management efforts across the state’s urbanized areas that will better protect rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands from harmful pollutants in many communities.

The updated permit that will help clean up New Hampshire waters and alleviate flooding by improving stormwater management in municipalities by find and eliminate illegal sewage discharges from stormwater systems; implement common-sense practices to keep pollution out of stormwater—for example, better street sweeping and cleaning of stormwater catch basins; and making sure that new development incorporates modern stormwater management, to avoid adding to the problem.