

MS4 Communities
Think Blue Massachusetts helps local governments across the state meet the education and outreach requirements of the 2018-2022 General Permits for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems.
If you represent a community that has an MS4 permit, your permit requires you to "...implement an education program that includes educational goals based on stormwater issues of significance within the MS4 area. The ultimate objective of a public MA MS4 General Permit education program is to increase knowledge and change behavior of the public so that pollutants in stormwater are reduced."
The permit goes on to define the following four audiences for this required educational program:
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Residents
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Businesses, institutions (churches,hospitals), and commercial facilities
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Developers (construction), and
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Industrial facilities.
U.S. EPA requires you to distribute two educational messages over the permit term to each of these audiences, spaced at least a year apart. The U.S. EPA explictly allows you to "...use existing materials if they are appropriate for the message the permittee chooses to deliver." The permits states that you "... may partner with other MS4s, community groups or watershed associations to implement the education program to meet this permit requirement."
Finally, your permit requires you "to show evidence of focused messages for specific audiences as well as evidence that progress toward the defined educational goals of the program has been achieved."
Think Blue Massachusetts offers pre-prepared materials that you can use to meet these permit requirements, along with guidance on how to provide evidence that you are making progress towards the goals of the program.
Think Blue Massachusetts Partner Materials
Permit Section 2.3.2: Public Education and Outreach Objective:
Here is the complete text of the Public Education and Outreach Objective of the 2018-2022 General Permits for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. Click Here
Think Blue Massachusetts Training Webinar
Here is a pre-recorded webinar that provides an overview of the package of materials that you can expect to receive and how to use it. Click here to view the presentation. Click here for the audio.
Sample NOI
If you want to use the Think Blue Massachusetts toolkit as part of your MS4 education and outreach, here is a suggestion about what to put into your NOI.
How to Measure Your Outreach
If you are using the Think Blue Massachusetts toolkit for your MS4 education and outreach, here are tips on how to evaluate and measure your results. Click Here
Annual Permit Report Guidelines
If you intend to use Think Blue Massachusetts materials to meet your Year 1 MS4 stormwater permit requirements, here are guidelines on what you should be able to include in your annual permit report to the U.S. EPA Click Here
Materials for Impaired Waters
Stormwater Curricula for Central MA 5th Graders - WPI
Campaign Results, FY2018 to FY2020
FY2019 Post Campaign Survey
The Massachusetts Statewide Stormwater Coalition surveyed a cross-section of Massachusetts residents about their knowledge, attitudes, and habits related to stormwater to measure the impact of our "Fowl Water" advertising campaign. Click here for the results!
FY2020 Post Campaign Survey
The Massachusetts Statewide Stormwater Coalition surveyed a cross-section of Massachusetts residents about their knowledge, attitudes, and habits related to stormwater to measure the impact of our "Fowl Water" advertising campaign. Click here for the results!
Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative Campaign Results
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Cape Cod Stormwater Coalition
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Charles River Stormwater Collaborative
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Connecticut River Stormwater Committee
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Fore River Stormwater Partnership
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Greenscapes North Shore
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Merrimack Valley Stormwater Collaborative
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Mystic River Watershed Stormwater Education Collaborative
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Neponset Stormwater Partnership
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Northern Middlesex Stormwater Collaborative
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Southeastern Regional Stormwater Coalition
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
WaterSmart South Shore
FY2018 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2019 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
FY2020 "Fowl Water" ad Facebook and YouTube campaign results. Click Here
Residential Program
Residents Pet Waste Flyer
A one-page flyer you can print and distribute at your offices and public events. Click here.
Residents Pet Waste Social Media Post
Share this post about pet waste disposal practices from Think Blue Massachusetts' Facebook page on your town's Facebook page, and measure the results!
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Social media images with and without Think Blue Massachusetts logo
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Social media post suggested text
Residents Pet Waste Press Release
A sample press release you take to your public information information officer to edit and distribute. Click here.
Residents Septic System Infographic/Handout
Share this handout about septic system maintenance from Think Blue Massachusetts' Facebook page on your town's Facebook page, and measure the results!
Residents Waterfowl Management Social Media
Share this post about waterfowl management practices from Think Blue Massachusetts' Facebook page on your town's Facebook page, and measure the results!
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Social media images with and without Think Blue Massachusetts logo
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Social media post suggested text
Residential Yard Care Social Media
Share this post about yard care practices from Think Blue Massachusetts' Facebook page on your town's Facebook page, and measure the results!
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Social media images with and without Think Blue Massachusetts logo
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Social media post suggested text
Business/Commercial/Institution Program
Business Waste Disposal Flyer
A one-page flyer you can print and distribute at your offices and public events. Click here.
Business Waste Disposal Social Media Post
Share this post about waste disposal practices from Think Blue Massachusetts' Facebook page on your town's Facebook page, and measure the results! Click here.
Stormwater BMP Flyer
This flyer explains how businesses can do their part to keep Massachusetts' waterways clean by installing a range of stormwater BMPs.
Download the Microsoft Word file that you can customize with your own logo and other local information.
Gas Station Infographic
This infographic shows how gas stations can do their part to keep Massachusetts' waterways clean.
Download the PDF or the Microsoft Word file that you can customize with your own logo.
Landscaping Infographic
This infographic shows how landscaping companies can do their part to keep Massachusetts' waterways clean.
Download the PDF or the Microsoft Word file that you can customize with your own logo.
Parking Lot Infographic
This infographic shows how businesses can do their part to keep Massachusetts' waterways clean by taking care of their parking lots.
Download the PDF or the Microsoft Word file that you can customize with your own logo.
Onsite Drainage
This infographic shows how businesses can do their part to keep Massachusetts' waterways clean by taking care of their onsite drainage.
Download the PDF or the Microsoft Word file that you can customize with your own logo.
Developers and Construction Program
Developers Sediment Control Flyer
A one-page flyer you can print and distribute at your offices and public events. Click here.
Developers Sediment Control Social Media Post
Share this post about sediment and erosion control practices from Think Blue Massachusetts' Facebook page on your town's Facebook page, and measure the results! Click here.
Developers Sediment Control Press Release
A sample press release you take to your public information officer to edit and distribute. Click here.
Construction Site Infographic
This infographic shows how developers can do their part at their construction sites to keep Massachusetts' waterways clean.
Download the PDF or the Microsoft Word file that you can customize with your own logo.
Industrial Program
Fleet Maintenance Flyer
A one-page flyer you can print and distribute at your offices and public events. Click here.
Fleet Maintenance Press Release
A sample press release you take to your public information officer to edit and distribute. Click here.
Materials Handling Flyer
This flyer explains shows how industrial sites can do their part at their construction sites to keep Massachusetts' waterways clean by storing hazardous materials safely.
Download the PDF or the Microsoft Word file that you can customize with your own logo.
Spill Prevention Flyer
This flyer explains how industrial sites can do their part at their to keep Massachusetts' waterways clean by preventing and responding to hazardous material spills.
Download the PDF or the Microsoft Word file that you can customize with your own logo.
Stormwater Information Elected Officals and Town Meeting Voters
Flyer for Town Hall Voters and Elected Officials
A one-page flyer you can print and distribute at your offices and public events. Click here.
Stormwater 101 PowerPoint Presentation
A PowerPoint presentation that explains the causes, consequences, solutions, and permit requirements related to stormwater for elected officials and town meeting voters. You will need to lightly customize the presentation to include information specific to your community. Click here to download.
All Audiences
Think Blue Massachusetts campaign overview with guidance on what materials have been developed, how to use them, and how towns & cities can "take credit" for the materials on annual reports.
Website Content
If you wish to post additional stormwater information on your town or city webpage, you can use this text and these images as a starting point.
Stormwater 101 Poster
A full color 32" x 24" poster that you can print and display in your office and other public spaces. The poster is provided in PowerPoint format so you can easily add your logo and contact information. Click Here.
Here is the web resolution "Fowl Water" spot that Think Blue Massachusetts ran on Facebook/Instagram and YouTube in June/July of 2019. It's a 73 mb file, so give it a minute to download.
Here is the broadcast resolution "Fowl Water" spot that Think Blue Massachusetts ran on Facebook/Instagram and YouTube in June/July of 2019. It's about a 3 gb file so be patient while it downloads.
Here is the "Fowl Water" spot that Think Blue Massachusetts ran on Facebook/Instagram and YouTube in June/July of 2019. This version can be embedded on municipal websites and shared on social media
Stormwater 101 Video
Here's a short video suitable for your Public Access Channel and other uses.
Event Booth & Table
For an extra fee, you can order a booth and tent suitable for use at Earth Day, Arbor Day, county fairs, and other community events. Click here to see the items.
For pricing and other information, contact laura.ganus@waterwordsthatwork.com.