Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

What is Storm Water Management?

Stormwater is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into storm sewers. These are drains at street corners or at low points on the sides of streets. Collectively, the draining water is called stormwater runoff.

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!

Rain, by nature, is important for replenishing drinking water supplies, recreation and healthy wildlife habitats. It only becomes a problem when pollutants from our activities, such as car maintenance, lawn care and dog walking are left on the ground for rain to wash away. 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.

How Can I Help With Storm Water Management? Recent Federal regulations require most municipalities in the area to adopt new methods to help improve the quality of storm water runoff to the creeks and streams. An important aspect of these requirements is raising public awareness of the importance of this issue, and advising the Township residents how they can help in reducing stormwater pollution. You can learn more about to manage storm water runoff by reading “When It Rains, It Drains”.

When fertilizing your lawn, did you know that may have a negative impact on our storm water runoff? Click Here for more information.