Upper Providence Township Stormwater Management MS4 Program

Clean Water

Where does stormwater come from?

Stormwater comes from snow melt, rain and surface runoff.

Why is stormwater important?

Stormwater is important because clean water provides our community with safe drinking water, usage for recreational activities and for thriving aquatic habitat life.

How does stormwater effect us?

If stormwater runoff is not properly managed, it can create flooding that impacts the quality of our life and aquatic life.

Development can alter the land’s natural pathways and increase the runoff velocity while decreasing the quality of stormwater.

A high velocity runoff rate can collect pollutants and deposit them in creeks and rivers.

Storm Water Pollutants Visible Pollutants – Sediment, Oils and Grease, etc.

Nonvisible – Nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus), Bacteria, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chlorides, Trace Metals, Toxic Chemicals and Thermal Impacts.

Federal and State Permits Federal our regulations stormwater management permits for municipalities.

In require 1972, the Environmental Discharge Protection Agency (EPA) created the “National Pollutant Elimination System” (NPDES).

federal guidelines, the Pennsylvania Department In order to meet these of Environmental Protection (PADEP) created (in 2002) a state wide permitting program called the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).

MS4 Program

The six minimum control measures below outline methods to implement a storm water management program, track progress, and report the progress made by each municipality.

Public Education Public Involvement Illicit Discharge Detection/Elimination Construction Site Runoff Management Post-Construction Storm Water Management Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

Public Education and Involvement

Public Education: Distribute educational materials developed by PA DEP and EPA throughout the surrounding community.

Public Involvement: In addition to providing notice for community events, holding public MS4 meetings, encourages provide the MS4 program municipalities and environmental support monitoring clean up organizations.

to local and

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Create, update and or revise existing storm water ordinances with language prohibiting non-storm water discharge's.

Develop and maintain a storm sewer system map.

Periodically inspect all outfall structure and keep a record of inspections.

Implement a program to detect non-storm water pollutants found in existing storm sewer systems/waterways, in addition to educating various pollutants in storm sewers systems.

the community on potential problems related to discarding

Construction and Post Construction Site Runoff Management

Update existing storm water ordinance to address construction site storm water management as well as water quality control and infiltration.

Coordinate with local conservation districts to ensure projects meet erosion and sediment programs and NPDES construction storm water permitting for regulated earth disturbance activities.

control Educate construction industry post construction controls.

on proper operation and maintenance of

Pollution Prevention/ Good Housekeeping

Implement an operation and maintenance program that focuses on pollution reduction and prevention.

Train and educate municipal employees on good housekeeping practices as well as attending management seminars.

/ educational pollution stormwater reduction Be involved in community events such a stream clean-up days and drain stenciling.

Benefits of the MS4 Storm Water Program

Decreases the risk of flood damage.

Improves water quality, aquatic life and enhances wild life habitats. Enhances recreational opportunities and aesthetic value.

Reduces risk of illness.

How To Get Involved?

Attend public Township meetings and provide feedback to Township Officials.

Attend community stream clean up and drain stenciling events.

Pass on information about the storm water program to other community residents, schools and libraries.

Report any storm water issues to the township and or local conservation district.