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Stormwater Program
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Introduction
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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 considerably 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).
Federal regulations enacted in December 1999 require Wrightstown Township to improve on their existing stormwater management program over the next
five years, beginning in March 2003.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater program requires that Municipal Separate Storm
Sewer Systems (MS4s) address the six required elements contained in the federal regulations to reduce water pollution:
Information on this program is available from the Pennsylvania
DEP (click here).
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Preventing Stormwater Pollution
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Stormwater runoff occurs when water from rain or snow and ice melting flows over the
ground. Stormwater becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants as it flows or when it causes flooding and erosion of streambanks.
Stormwater travels through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up storm sewer systems. It eventually flows directly to a lake, river, stream, wetland or coastal
water. All of the pollutants stormwater carries along the way empty into our waters, too, because stormwater does not get treated!
Here are some of the most important
ways for Township residents to prevent stormwater pollution:
- Properly dispose of hazardous substances, such as used motor oil, cleaning supplies and paint - never
pour them down any part of the storm sewer system, and report anyone who does.
- Use pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff of these
items.
- Look for signs of soil and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals, leaving construction sites
in stormwater runoff or tracked into roads by construction vehicles. Report poorly managed construction sites that could impact stormwater runoff to the Township.
- Install innovative stormwater practices on residential properties, such as rain barrels or rain
gardens, that capture stormwater and keep it on-site instead of letting it drain away into the storm sewer system.
- Report any discharge from stormwater outfalls during times of dry weather - a sign there could be a
problem with the storm sewer system.
- Pick up after pets and dispose of their waste properly. No matter where pets make a mess - in a
backyard or on open space - stormwater runoff can carry pet waste from the land to the storm sewer system to a stream.
- Store materials that could pollute water indoors and use containers for outdoor storage that do not
rust or leak to eliminate exposure of materials to stormwater.
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Friendly Reminders
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When you’re fertilizing the lawn, remember you’re not just fertilizing the lawn.
You
fertilize the lawn. Then it rains. The rain washes the fertilizer along the curb, into the storm drain, and directly into our streams, ponds, lakes and into coastal waters,
including the Delaware Bay. This causes algae to grow, which uses up oxygen that fish need to survive. So if you fertilize, please follow directions and use sparingly.
When
your pet goes on the lawn, remember it doesn’t just go on the lawn.
When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that pet waste and bacteria into our
storm drains. And then pollutes our waterways. So what to do? Simple. Dispose of it properly (preferably in the toilet). Then that little surprise gets treated like it should.
Water Quality Hotlines
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Educational Brochures
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Information for Homeowners and Residents:
Stormwater Basic Information
EPA Municipal MS4 Information
EPA MS4 Fact Sheets
EPA Stormwater Outreach Materials
EPA Stormwater Menu of BMP’s
EPA Septic System Information
After the Storm
Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution
Water Efficient Landscaping
When It Rains, It Drains
What Happens After the Flush?
Where Does All the Dirty Water Go?
Information for Businesses:
Stormwater Basic Information
EPA Stormwater Outreach Materials
After the Storm
Stormwater Crossword Puzzle Placemat
When It Rains, It Drains
Information for Builders and Developers:
EPA Municipal MS4 Information
EPA MS4 Fact Sheets
EPA Stormwater Outreach Materials
EPA Stormwater Menu of BMP’s
Stormwater and the Construction Industry
After the Storm
How Do I Get Stormwater Coverage for Construction My Site?
Don't Let Storm Water Run Off With Your Time and Money
When It Rains, It Drains
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Educational Shows
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"After the Storm" is
a 1/2 hour video documentary focused on the effects of polluted stormwater runoff, which is a leading cause of problems to our nation's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. The
program also illustrates simple things that citizens can do to help protect their local watersheds.
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Additional Links
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
(Keyword: Stormwater)
PADEP MS4 & Stormwater Websites
Bucks County Conservation District
Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Watershed Protection
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