STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

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When It Rains It Drains

                                            WHY MANAGE STORMWATER?

Stormwater is rainwater and melted snow that runs off streets, lawns, and other sites. When stormwater is absorbed into the ground, it is filtered and ultimately replenishes aquifers or flows into streams and rivers. In developed areas, however, impervious surfaces such as pavement and roofs prevent precipitation from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, the water runs rapidly into storm drains, sewer systems, and drainage ditches and can cause:
~ Downstream flooding
~ Stream bank erosion
~ Increased turbidity
  (muddiness created by stirred up sediment) from erosion
~ Habitat destruction
~ Changes in the stream flow hydrograph
  (a graph that displays the flow rate of a stream over a period of time)
~ Combined sewer overflows
~ Infrastructure damage
~ Contaminated streams, rivers, and coastal water
(Source: US EPA)

                                      STORMWATER BASIC INFORMATION

What is the NPDES Stormwater Program?

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program regulates stormwater discharges from three potential sources: municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, and industrial activities. Most stormwater discharges are considered point sources, and operators of these sources may be required to receive an NPDES permit before they can discharge. This permitting mechanism is designed to prevent stormwater runoff from washing harmful pollutants into local surface waters such as streams, rivers, lakes or coastal waters.
(Source: US EPA)

Many fact sheets detailing the Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) that the Township is required to comply with every year can be found here, for example:

Small MS4 Stormwater Program Overview and Illicit Discharges and Our Stormwater

The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides a plethora of information on their Stormwater Management Program to help explain the regulations.

Check out the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s current News Releases.  Go there often for the latest updates.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provide additional help with understanding the benefits of stormwater management at these websites:

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s
Benefits of public education efforts
National Menu of Best Management Practices for Stormwater

A very informative compilation of ideas and help for HOMEOWNERS has been provided here by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Watersheds.

Want information on how to improve and protect our local water resources? Join in the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy’s new "Perkiomen Rain Gardens blog"!

Best Management Practices Information that is helpful for our Township BUSINESSES can be found at these websites:

BMP’s ~ What they are
Good Housekeeping Practices for Restaurants and Food Service Establishments
Good Housekeeping Practices for Auto Maintenance, Repair and Fueling Operations