Stormwater Management

The Clean Water Act is the federal legislation that governs stormwater management. Stormwater point discharges to waters of the U.S. are regulated using National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. In 1999, federal regulations extended coverage of the NPDES program to local separate storm sewer systems (MS4’s) serving populations less than 100,000. The Township is required to comply with the NPDES program as a MS4. Under the NPDES stormwater program, permittees must develop a stormwater management plan that provides the details of how the community will comply with the requirements of the permit.

When it Rains it drains

Control Measures

Permits are based on a framework of six minimum control measures:

  • Construction site runoff control
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance
  • Post-construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment
  • Public education and outreach
  • Public participation and involvement

More information on this program is available from the Pennsylvania DEP website.

Township Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)

The goals of all MS4s programs and the Township are to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the township, to protect water quality and to satisfy requirements of the Clean Water Act. The Township would like you to remember that the water and any items that go into a storm sewer go directly into streams. This water is not cleaned in any way and does not go to the waste water treatment plant. The Township needs all of its residents to assist us in keeping our storm water and storm water sewer system clean by doing the following: dispose of water properly, clean up after your pets, use fertilizers properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff and store materials that could pollute storm water indoors. Also, please monitor storm water inlets near your property. No one should dump anything into the storm sewer system. If you see someone dumping please call the township at 215-659-3100. Thank you.

Current DRAFT MS4 PRP Plan

Storm Drain Stenciling

The Township has marked all of the storm drains in the township with the "No Dumping / Drains to Stream" stencils. These storm drain stencils educate the public that anything you dump into the storm drain ends up directly in a creek or other public water way.

How Residents Can Help

What Residents can help watch for:

  • Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (72 hours after a rain storm)
  • Illegal dumping activity into streams or storm sewers (PLEASE CALL 911 FIRST)
  • Sediment leaving a construction site in stormwater
  • Spills (Chemical, Gas, Oil)

Residents may be the first to recognize "illicit" discharges dumping into storm sewers or coming out of from storm sewer outfalls. If you see an "illicit" discharge please report that to the Township by calling 215-659-3100.

Educational Pamphlets

Home Owner

  1. 10 Things That You Can Do to Prevent Storm Water Runoff Pollution (PDF)
  2. After the Storm (PDF)
  3. Clean Water is Everybody's Business (PDF)
  4. Kids Storm Water Stickers (PDF)
  1. Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution Brochure (PDF)
  2. Storm Water Pollution Found in Your Area! Door Hanger (PDF)
  3. Take the Storm Water Runoff Challenge placemat (PDF)
  4. Water Efficient Landscaping (PDF)

Construction

  1. How Do I Get Storm Water Permit Coverage for My Construction Site (PDF)
  1. Storm water and the Construction Industry Poster (PDF)