Stormwater

During heavy rains, localized street flooding will occur if the rain falls faster than the drainage system can remove it. To mitigate the impact of flooding you can implement one or more flood protection measures such as helping the City in its flood protection activities, preparing yourself for floods and purchasing flood insurance.

Is your property in a floodplain or area that's experienced flooding? Find out! Contact the Division of Planning & Regulatory Services at 508-799-1400 x31440 or planning@worcesterma.gov.

Construction Requirements

Always check with the Department of Inspectional Services and the Division of Planning & Regulatory Services before you build on, alter, regrade or fill your property. A permit may be needed to ensure that projects do not cause problems on other properties.

There are several good references on retrofitting published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers available in the Worcester Public Library or online at the C/W MARS website. 

Do Not Dump

Streams, channels and catch basins are essential to preventing a flood. Do not dump or throw anything into streams, channels or catch basins that drain or carry stormwater. Dumping any material in a waterway or catch basin is illegal and may be a violation of the City of Worcester's Wetlands Protection Ordinance.

Pet Waste and Water Quality

Worcester is statistically home to over 135,000 pets. If pet waste isn't picked up, it can clog storm drains and pollute our lakes, rivers, and ponds - leading to fish kills, algae blooms, and unsafe water.

Common Pollutants in Stormwater

• Pet Waste
• Oil, Antifreeze, Pesticides, Fertilizers
• Yard Waste
• Trash and Litter

Pet waste also poses health risks. It contains bacteria and parasites that can contaminate water and make people sick. Dog poop bags can block drains, causing flooding during heavy rain.

Dumping pet waste into storm drains can result in a $200 fine!

What You Can Do

• Always pick up after your pet and throw waste in the trash.
• Carry waste bags when walking your pet.
• Seal used cat litter in a plastic bag and dispose of it with household garbage. (Never flush, compost, or dump it into a drain.)

Worcester offers Hazardous Waste Collection events and Yard Waste Drop-Off sites to help you dispose of waste properly.

Let’s work together to keep our water clean and safe!

Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is highly recommended. An advantage of insurance is that your property is covered as long as the policy is in force, even when you're not home to implement your flood response plan. Most standard property insurance policies do not cover a property for flood damage. The City of Worcester participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Flood Preparedness

There are many things that can be done to prepare for the next potential flood. View the list below for suggestions about how to be prepared if a flood threatens your area.

Learn more by visiting Ready.gov.

Flood Safety & Tips

If you own property in the City of Worcester and are subject to flooding, the following information and suggested activities are important to you. Additional information can be found on the FloodSmart website.

View the tips below to learn how to be safe during a flood.

FEMA Resources

There are many helpful resources available for free from FEMA to help understand and prevent losses to property. Click on the link below to expand and view a list of such resources.