Stormwater Management
In 2003, Lower Pottsgrove Township became a Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections (DEP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit regulations. Chapter 203: Stormwater Management Ordinance
The Township was required to develop and implement a storm water management program by its MS4 permit, which is based on the federal MS4 regulations. The MS4 Permit requires the Township to agree to implement the requirements of the MS4 protocol (developed by DEP).
The DEPs Protocols provide our township with suitable guidelines to design a local program that addresses the DEPs six Best Management Practices (or BMPs), which are also known as "control measures." These six BMPs are designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from MS4s, to the maximum extent practicable, to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act.
The six BMP categories are:
•Public Education & Outreach Control Measure
•Public Participation & Involvement Control Measure
•Illicit discharge Detection (any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer that is not composed entirely of stormwater except discharges pursuant to a NPDES permit and discharges resulting from emergency firefighting activities) & Elimination Control Measure. To report Illicit discharge, call 610-326-1508.
•Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control Measure
•Post Construction Stormwater Management in New Development & Redevelopment Control Measure
•Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations & Maintenance Control Measure
The federal regulations provide flexibility within these six categories of BMPs. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Stormwater Management Program website (CLICK HERE) for additional details and technical information on this topic at the state level. Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Stormwater Management Program website (CLICK HERE) for additional details and technical information on this topic at the federal level. Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website (CLICK HERE) for details and information on emergency management and response to stormwater damage.
