Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snow flow over land and impervious surfaces and does not infiltrate into the ground. The runoff from streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil, grease and many other pollutants and discharge into our lakes, streams and rivers. This untreated discharge is detrimental to our water quality as it can adversely affect our drinking water supply and environment. Many detention/retention/infiltration basins are already in place to help keep our water clean.
Stormwater Spring Activities - Spring Activities - 2021
Click on the underlined title above for tips on what you can do during your spring time activities.
MS4 Infrastructure
If you are interested in where our stormwater is located, check out this attached link.
Stormwater Management, Simplified.
Have you ever wondered where all that water that gushes into a storm drain ends up? The journey does not end there... This story map provides a summary of the stormwater journey, including what stormwater contains, how it is managed, and its impacts on New Hanover Township streams and the community.
Click here for a link to the story map.
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Stormwater from my neighbor's property is causing erosion and flooding problems on my property. What can I do?
A landowner has the right to have stormwater flow onto and over his property, and discharged through a natural water course onto a neighboring property. In addition, a landowner may make proper and profitable use of his land even though this use may result in some change in the quality or quantity of the water flowing to the property below.
Generally, any damage to the property below caused by surface water as a result of this use is not actionable. However, there are two exceptions to this general rule. The first exception is when the stormwater is diverted from its natural channel, and the second exception is when stormwater is unreasonably or unnecessarily changed in quantity or quality.
If you believe that either or both of the above-noted exceptions are applicable to your case, you should contact an attorney with experience in these matters. For if your neighbor is not willing to fix the problem you may be required to file suit in the Court of Common Pleas. Because the stormwater is flowing from private property, the Township is not a party to such disputes.
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[The Montgomery County Conservation District presented on this topic. Click here - especially if you are considering developing in our municipality.]
The Township regulates its stormwater management through a permit that is obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) through the National Pollution and Discharge Elimination System Phase II (NPDES)/Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). This is a federal requirement from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that is administered by the state. This NPDES permit is broken up into six minimum control measures to be regulated and enforced by the Township. These minimum control measures include:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation/Involvement
- Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
For any questions or concerns regarding stormwater or to report illicit discharges to the storm sewer system, contact the Township at 610 323-1008.
More Information
There are many ways you can help the Township with its stormwater program, such as participating in volunteer programs that help keep trash, debris and other pollutants out of the storm sewer system. For more information on ways to get involved with your community, visit:
Quick Resource Guide For Winter Maintenance BMPs
Winter Maintenance BMPs
Stormwater Brochure
Be Stormwater Smart Brochure
PennDOT: Adopt-A-Highway
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdHwyBeau.nsf/AAHHome?OpenFrameset
USEPA
Stormwater Basic Information
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program
Stormwater Program
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=6
Stormwater Discharge from MS4's
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources#overview
Stormwater Outreach Materials and Reference Documents
https://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/docs.cfm?document_type_id=3&view=Fact%2520Sheets%2520and%2520Outreach%2520Materials&program_id=6&sort=name
PA DEP
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/dep_home/5968
PA DEP Southeast Region Office
http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/SoutheastRegion/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWfKFsrKUk
Stormwater Management Program
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWiP1srKUl
BCCD Bucks County Conservation District
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
CWP Center for Watershed Protection
Department of Environmental Protection
PADEP – MS4 Resources:
PADEP - MS4 Stormwater Activity Book for Children
DEP Southeast Regional Office:
http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/SoutheastRegion/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWfKFsrKUk
PA DEP Stormwater Management Program:
DEP – E&S for Single Family Homes and Minor Construction Projects:
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107599/3150-FS-DEP4096.pdf
DEP – Snow Management and Removal:
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109526/3800-FS-DEP1634.pdf
DEP – Swimming Pool Discharge Guidelines:
DEP – Stream Improvement Program:
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108190/3130-FS-DEP2179.pdf
DEP – Minimizing Accelerated Soil Erosion & Preventing Sediment Pollution:
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107595/3150-FS-DEP1841.pdf
DEP – Reporting Requirements for Spills and Pollution Incidents under PA Clean Streams Law:
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-101220/3800-FS-DEP4449.pdf
DEP – Water Quality Standards:
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/WaterQuality/Pages/default.aspx#.VtW6sy0o6Uk
United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPA – Stormwater Fact Sheets and Outreach Materials:
EPA - Stormwater Basic Information:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program
EPA - Stormwater Discharges from MS4’s:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources#overview
EPA - MS4 Overview:
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-0.pdf
EPA - MS4 Fact Sheet:
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-1.pdf
EPA –Urbanized Area Definition:
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-2.pdf
EPA – Public Education and Outreach:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-3.pdf
EPA – Public Participation and Involvement:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-4.pdf
EPA – Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-5.pdf
EPA - Construction Site Runoff Control:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-6.pdf
EPA – Post-Construction Runoff Control:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-7.pdf
EPA – Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-8.pdf
EPA – National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/national-menu-best-management-practices-bmps-stormwater#edu
EPA – Stormwater Permit Coverage for Construction Sites:
https://www3.epa.gov/region10/pdf/water/stormwater_permit_brochure_print.pdf
EPA – After the Storm:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/after_the_storm.pdf
EPA – Stormwater Management Practices:
http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management-practices-epa-facilities
EPA – Stormwater Management:
http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management
EPA – Green Infrastructure:
http://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure
EPA Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Menu:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/national-menu-best-management-practices-bmps-stormwater-documents
EPA – Evaluating the Effectiveness of Municipal Stormwater Programs:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/region3_factsheet_swmp.pdf
EPA – Water Pollution Prevention and Control:
http://www.epa.gov/p2/learn-about-pollution-prevention
Miscellaneous
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy:
http://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/
DEP – Raingardens and Rain Barrels:
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109593/3850-PA-DEP4500.pdf
Rain Barrel Resources:
http://www.rainbarrelresource.com/
PADOT Adopt-a Highway:
http://www.penndot.gov/about-us/AdoptaHighway/Pages/default.aspx#.VtSv9lsrKUk
Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater:
http://www.stormwaterguide.org/static/HomeownersGuide.pdf
Green Guide for Property Management:
http://schuylkillwaters.org/doc_files/Green%20Guide%20for%20Property%20Management.pdf
Center for Watershed Protection Municipal Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping Practices (Manual 9):
http://www.in.gov/indot/files/Municipal_Pollution_Prevention_and_Good_Housekeeping.pdf
Homeowners Guide to Stormwater
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