Stormwater Management
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has a statewide program designed to improve our quality of water. The program requires all municipalities in populated areas to detect and eliminate Non-Point Source Pollution (NPSP). NPSP is a combination of contaminants from various sources that find their way into our streams, lakes, and rivers by way of rainfall and snowmelt. Many of the pollutants include but are not limited to soap, oil, gasoline, littler, cigarette butts and sediments. The main outlet of these contaminants is from storm drain discharge. Storm drains offer no means of filtration and are easy targets for illegal dumping. It is important that residents understand that what goes down storm drains ultimately ends up in lakes, streams, and other bodies of water. To ensure healthy water for both aquatic life and human consumption we must first detect and then eliminate NPSP.
The Township is subject to the provisions of NPDES Permit No. PAG130050. To learn more about the MS4 Annual Report from the DEP, please contact the Township.
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snow melt events 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 Best Management Practices (BMP’s) such as detention/retention/infiltration basins, are already in place to help keep out water clean.
Falls Township regulates 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)/Municipals Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). This is a Federal requirement from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that is administered by the PA DEP. The Clean Water Act (CWA) established the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II program which requires municipalities with separate storm sewer systems (MS4's) to obtain permits and requires them to implement and enforce a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved stormwater management program to protect water quality. The MS4 program consists of six (6) minimum control measures which are regulated and enforced by the Township to reduce the number of pollutants discharged into our waterways:
Public Participation/Involvement
Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination
Construction Site Runoff Control
Post-Construction Runoff Control
For more information on the MS4 program, please visit the DEP's web site to get the most updated information on this and other important environmental topics. Additionally, for any questions or concerns regarding stormwater or to report illicit discharges to the storm sewer system please call the Falls Township Administration Building at (215) 949-9000.
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 the link below: