Stormwater pollution from point sources and nonpoint sources is a challenging water quality problem. Unlike pollution from industry or sewage treatment facilities, which is caused by a discrete number of sources, stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Rainwater and snowmelt run off from streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites and pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Stormwater runoff is our most common cause of water pollution.
Because stormwater pollution is caused by so many different activities, traditional regulatory controls will only go so far. P olluted storm water runoff is often transported to municipal separate storm sewer systems(MS4s) and ultimately discharged into local rivers and streams without treatment. EPA’s Storm Water Phase II Rule establishes an MS4 storm water management program that is intended to improve the Nation’s waterways by reducing the quantity of pollutants that storm water picks up and carries into storm sewer systems during storm events. Common pollutants include oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash, such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles.When deposited into nearby waterways through MS4 discharges, these pollutants can impair the waterways, thereby discouraging recreational use of the resource, contaminating drinking water supplies, and interfering with the habitat for fish, other aquatic organisms, and wildlife.
Education and outreach are key components to any successful stormwater program.
What Are the Phase II Small MS4 Program Requirements?
MS4 Means "Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System"
Operators of regulated small MS4s are required to design their programs to:
_ Reduce the discharge of pollutants to the “maximum extent practicable” (MEP);_ Protect water quality; and_Satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act.Implementation of the MEP standard will typically require the development and implementation of BMPs (Best Management Practice) and the achievement of measurable goals to satisfy each of the six minimum control measures.
The Phase II Rule defines a small MS4 storm water management program as a program comprising six elements that, when implemented in concert, are expected to result in significant reductions of pollutants discharged into receiving waterbodies.
Stormwater pollution from point sources and nonpoint sources is a challenging water quality problem. Unlike pollution from industry or sewage treatment facilities, which is caused by a discrete number of sources, stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Rainwater and snowmelt run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites and pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Stormwater runoff is our most common cause of water pollution .
Education and outreach are key components to any successful stormwater program.
The six MS4 program elements, termed “minimum control measures,” are outlined below:
1. Public Education and Outreach
Distributing educational materials and performing outreach to inform citizens about the impacts polluted storm water runoff discharges can have on water quality.
2. Public Participation/Involvement
Providing opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation, including effectively publicizing public hearings and/or encouraging citizen representatives on a storm water management panel.
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Developing and implementing a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm sewer system (includes developing a system map and informing the community about hazards associated with illegal discharges and improper disposal of waste).
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
Developing, implementing, and enforcing an erosion and sediment control program for construction activities that disturb 1 or more acres of land (controls could include silt fences and temporary storm water detention ponds).
5. Post-Construction Runoff Control
Developing, implementing, and enforcing a program to address discharges of post-construction storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment areas. Applicable controls could include preventative actions such as protecting sensitive areas (e.g., wetlands) or the use of structural BMPs such as grassed swales or porous pavement.
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Developing and implementing a program with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations. The program must include municipal staff training on pollution prevention measures and techniques (e.g., regular street sweeping, reduction in the use of pesticides or street salt, or frequent catch-basin cleaning). or its chosen BMPs and measurable goals for each minimum control measure. To help permittees identify themost appropriate BMPs for their programs, EPA will issue a“menu,” of BMPs to serve as guidance. NPDES permitting authorities can modify the EPA menu or develop their own list.
New Garden Township Storm Water Program
For any questions or concerns regarding storm water or to report illicit discharges or construction site runoff please call the Stormwater Hotline, 610-268-2915 (ext. 112) at the Township Office.
Illicit Discharges
New Garden Township is developing a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges, which is part of the overall Stormwater program.
Center for Watershed Protection Illicit Discharge and Detection Manual What is an Illicit Discharge?
Federal regulations define an illicit discharge as any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.There are exceptions to this rule: firefighting activities, landscape irrigation, foundation drains, water from crawl space pumps etc.Sources of illicit discharges include: sanitary wastewater, failing septic systems, car wash waste water, improper oil disposal, radiator flushing disposal, spills from roadway accidents, improper disposal of household toxics or improper use of pesticides and herbicides etc.Illicit discharges enter the system either through direct connections (deliberate pipe hookups to the storm drain system) or indirect connections (spills collected by drain outlets, or deliberate dumping down the storm drain.)These illicit discharges drain directly to the creeks and streams and may be loaded with large amount of harmful and toxic substances. These pollutants enter the aquatic system and degrade the water quality and threaten wildlife and human health. All streams and creeks in New Garden Township have been designated as unfit for swimming or fishing by the EPA.
Please report illicit discharges to the Township 610-268-2915
Links for Developers and Contractors
Stormwater Best Management Handbooks
EPA stormwater Does your Construction Site need a Permit?
Maintain Your BMPs
Maintain Your BMPs II
EPA Permits and Form
Soil and Erosion Single Family Projects
New Garden E&S Requirements (MS word)
Links for Homeowners
Rain Garden Brochure (6.5mb pdf)
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
NEW!! Pond and Wetland Maintenance (PDF)
EPA Wetlands Resources
Water Efficient Landscaping
Kids Stormwater Stickers
10 Things you can do for clean water
Take the Stormwater Challenge
Protecting Water Quality
You Can be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution
PADEP Stormwater
Minor Construction projects for homeowners
Fish Really Do Grow on Trees
Septic Tank Pollution
More Stormwater links:
White Clay Creek State of the Watershed Report 2008
A Report Card on the Health of the White Clay Creek
Septic Tank Owners Click here
Storm Drain Marking in New Garden Township
New!!! New Regulations for New Garden Township
An Overview of the Stormwater regulations from the EPA (pdf)
New Garden Riparian Buffer Page
Create Your Own Rain Garden
Downloadable stormwater PDF files:
After the Storm
When it Rains it drains
Save Money on your Construction project
Info for municipalties for educating small businesses (pdf)
Riparian buffer information for Homeowners
DEP Fact sheet for minor construction projects
Good Housekeeping for Garages
Good Housekeeping for Restaruants
EPA links:
An Overview of the Stormwater regulations from the EPA (pdf)
EPA ADMINISTERED PERMIT PROGRAMS: THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
United States EPA Stormwater Final Rule
EPA Overview Stormwater NPDES
Educational Material from the EPA
Polluted Stormwater Runoff
If you would like to volunteer to mark stormdrains with educational markers please call Scott Gantt at the Township
TMDL stands for Total Maximum Daily Load. The TMDL represents the maximum amount of pollutant allowed to enter a waterbody. The Pollutants considered for the creeks of New Garden are bacteria, sediment and nutrients. The new rules and regulations are part of Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and state that water bodies not meeting the water quality standards are considered to be impaired. Almost all of the creeks in Southern Chester County are considered impaired and do not meet the water quality standards.
The TMDL proposes pollution reduction from wastewater treatment plants, municipal Stormwater runoff and nonpoint sources (i.e., runoff from agricultural lands urban areas and residential lands). Reductions are proposed for pollutant sources that will make a positive difference for the surface waters of our area and bring them into compliance with federal and state water quality standards.
The Clean water Act provides for any individual or organization impacted by the development and implementation of the TMDLs to participate in the procedures. The public often contributes useful information about an impaired waterbody and offers insight about their community that might make pollution reduction strategy’s successful
or call the township office. 610-268-2915 ext. 111 