Storm Water Management

Overview of stormwater management

Stormwater management is concerned with the control of water that runs off the surface of the land. Stormwater runoff occurs when water from rain, snow, or ice melting flows over the ground. The stormwater travels across the ground, through drainage ditches, small streams, through our stormwater collection system, and eventually to the Neshaminy Creek (or possibly retained in a wetland area).

Stormwater becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants during its flow to the Creek. Since the stormwater is not treated, everything carried along with the water discharges into the Creek. In addition, stormwater runoff can cause flooding, erosion of stream banks, and other problems.

As land is developed, additional impervious surfaces, such as parking lots, roadways, and buildings, are constructed. These impervious surfaces hinder the absorption of water into the soil. The result is the potential for increased stormwater runoff. The increased runoff can result in increased negative effects, such as flooding and erosion problems, increased flow onto neighboring properties, damage 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). Therefore stormwater management is imperative to offset these possible, and potentially damaging, impacts of development.

Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater program, Hulmeville Borough operates what the federal regulations refer to as a small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4s). The Federal regulations require the operators of MS4s to design their stormwater management program 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 requires the development and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) and the achievement of measurable goals to satisfy each of six minimum control measures.

The six required elements of our stormwater management program are:

• Public education and outreach
• Distributing educational materials and performing outreach to inform citizens about the impacts polluted stormwater runoff discharges can have on water quality.
• Public participation and involvement
• Providing opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation, including effectively publicizing public hearings and/or encouraging citizen representatives on a stormwater management panel.
• 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).
• Construction site runoff control
• Post-construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment
• 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 stormwater detention ponds).
• Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance
• 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).

Stormwater management is not something the Borough Council can do alone. It requires the cooperation of all of our residents. Here are some of the most important ways for Borough residents to help prevent, or minimize, stormwater pollution:

• Properly dispose of hazardous substances. Hazardous substances include used motor oil, many cleaning supplies, old paint, household chemicals (pesticides, poisons), and more. Never pour these items down any part of the storm sewer system, and report anyone who does. Always check the product label for proper disposal guidelines. Make use of the County hazardous waste collection program.
• Maximize the use of natural pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides. Minimize the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides. When you do use them, use them 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 Borough.
• Consider rain barrels, rain gardens, or other innovative stormwater management practices on residential properties. These practices capture stormwater and keep it on-site instead of letting it drain away into the storm sewer system.
• During dry weather, report any discharge observed from stormwater outfalls. This is a sign there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.
• Pick up after pets and dispose of their waste properly, regardless of where the pet makes a mess - in a backyard or in open space. Stormwater runoff can carry pet waste from anywhere to the storm sewer system to a stream.
• Do not store materials that could potentially cause pollution outdoors, other than in a properly designed spill containment system. Use containers for outdoor storage that do not rust or leak to eliminate exposure of materials to stormwater.

Additional information on stormwater management is available from the Pennsylvania DEP.

How to report an issue

Residents may often be the first to observe releases into the stormwater system or discharges coming out from storm sewer outfalls. These may be due to "illicit" discharges, damaged infrastructure, etc. You can help by promptly reporting such events to the proper authorities before they cause more damage and pollution. Some of the conditions that you should report, and the primary agency you should contact, are listed below.

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Sediment leaving a construction site

This may include discharge of sediment, erosion, and other improper controls during construction. It may also include construction vehicles carrying significant quantities of dirt and debris onto roadways.

Observed pollution event or pollutants in stream

Clogged or leaking sewer lines; Broken water mains

Spills

Illegal dumping activity into water courses

Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (72 hours after a rain storm)

Fish Kills

Additional information/links

Hulmeville Borough

For an overview of the Borough's efforts and initiatives, view the Borough Power Point presentation on Storm Water Management.

US Environmental Protection Agency

• Stormwater Basic Information
• EPA Water Pollution Prevention and Control
• EPA Municipal MS4 Information
• EPA MS4 Fact Sheets
• EPA Stormwater Homepage
• EPA Stormwater Outreach Materials
• EPA Stormwater Menu of Best Management Practices
• Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source Pollution
• EPA Watersheds
• Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution
• Water Efficient Landscaping
• What Happens After the Flush?
• Where Does All the Dirty Water Go?
• Stormwater Crossword Puzzle Placemat
• Stormwater and the Construction Industry
• Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff

PA Department of Environmental Protection

• PA DEP web site
• PA DEP Stormwater Management
• PA DEP Southeast Regional Office
• Don't Let Storm Water Run Off With Your Time and Money

Bucks County Conservation District

• BCCD web site
• BCCD Watershed Management Program
• We All Live Downstream Stormwater Guide