The Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) Program enacted Phase II Stormwater regulations that require operators of municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to implement programs and practices to minimize pollution from stormwater runoff. The regulations require MS4s within urbanized or densely populated areas, such as the Town of Middletown, to develop stormwater management programs and to obtain RIPDES Phase II stormwater permits.
Middletown's Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) (PDF) was adopted by the Town Council in December of 2003 and revised in April 2009. The goal of the SWMP is to reduce adverse impacts to water quality, aquatic habitat, and human health by instituting the use of controls on the unregulated sources of stormwater discharges that have the greatest likelihood of causing continued environmental degradation.
The Town has also adopted ordinances related to stormwater management including Chapter 151: Construction Site Runoff Control (PDF) and Chapter 153: Storm Water Management (PDF).