Stormwater Management

Stormwater management concerns the control of water (from rain, melting ice or snow) that runs off the surface of the land. The amount and rate of runoff is increased as land is developed; construction of impervious surface (e.g. parking lots) hinders the infiltration of rainfall into the soil.

Therefore stormwater management is imperative to offset the possible impacts of development – flooding and erosion problems, concentration of flow on neighboring properties, damages to infrastructure, and non-point source pollution (i.e. pollution that comes from the general drainage of the land such as runoff from parking lots and farmland).

New federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations require municipalities in urbanized areas to obtain permits, as well as implement and enforce a DEP approved stormwater management program with the goal of protecting water quality. This program must contain a schedule, best management practices, and measurable goals for the following: public education and outreach, public participation and involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment, and pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance.

For more information about the stormwater management program, visit www.dep.state.pa.us; type “stormwater” in the directLINK input filed in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

Help keep our waterways and drinking supplies clean. Be aware of common pollutants and their impacts. Common pollutants consist of herbicides, pet waste, automotive fluids, grass clippings, and other debris that enter storm water systems and ultimately end up ion our water ways. Please practice good household habits for the health of our environment.

Program Resources

• When It Rains, It Drains
• Maintain Your BMP’S
• Stormwater PA

MS4 Tips for Homeowners

• Children’S Activity Page
• Stormwater for Kids
• Center for Watershed Protection
• Stormwater Crossword Puzzle Placemat
• http://www.stormwaterguide.org/
• Homeowner’S Guide To Septic Systems
• Water Efficient Landscaping
• How Does Your Garden Grow
• Where Does All The Dirty Water Go

Information for Developers

• Does Your Construction Site Need a Stormwater Permit?
• Stormwater And The Construction Industry
• Sediment Control Plan Standard Notes Including Construction Sites

Helpful Government Tips

• Stormwater Discharges from MS4s
• PADEP Stormwater Management
• Environmental Protection Agency NPDES
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Presentations

Watch After The Storm on Comcast Channel 22 and Verizon 31

Watch After the Storm, a half-hour television program about watersheds co-produced by the EPA and The Weather Channel. This program provides a way for citizens to learn more about the threats facing our waterways from polluted runoff. After the Storm is broadcast regularly on channel 22 on Comcast and Verizon channel 31. Download the After the Storm brochure.