Stormwater Management
|
Important Links: |
The Clean Water Act is a Federal Law, passed in 1972, goals of eliminating releases to water of high amounts of toxic substances, eliminating additional water pollution. In 1980, efforts were included in the clean water act to curtain water pollution from runoff and storm water systems.
As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. In 1999, federal regulations extended coverage of the NPDES program to Municipal Separate storm sewer systems (MS4's) serving populations less than 100,000. Permitting is managed by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP). Hampden Township is required to comply with the NPDES program as a MS4.
The NPDES stormwater program requires permittees to develop a stormwater management plan that provides the details of how the community will comply with the requirements of the permit. Permits are based on six minimum control measures:
Public education and outreach
Public participation and involvement
Illicit discharge detection and elimination
Construction site runoff control
Post-construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment
Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance
Hampden Township is fully committed to the Municipal Separate Storm water System requirements. Our goals are to protect water quality, and follow the requirements of the Clean Water Act. We would also ask our citizens to be good stewards of the natural resources we all share. Some of the ways you can be a good citizen is to dispose of water properly, clean up after your pets, use fertilizers properly and efficiently to prevent its runoff and store materials that could pollute the water in a safe place. Stormwater is not treated in any way before it reaches the waterways. We also encourage our citizens to monitor the storm inlets in your neighborhoods. No one should dump anything into the storm water system, if you see someone doing this, contact the Township at (717) 761-0119.
Storm Inlet Stenciling
Hampden Township would like to organize local citizens and community groups to stencil all of the Storm water inlets in the Township. By labeling the storm inlets, we can educate the public and remind everyone that anything that is dumped into the storm water system ends up in our waterways. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact " "at the Township Building (717) 761-0119. Let us know how may stencils you need and we can see that they are dropped off or mailed to you.
Our Citizens are important
Our citizens can help our efforts in water quality protection by watching and reporting:
Sediment run off at construction sites
Spills (Chemical, Gas, Oil)
Illegal dumping activity into streams or storm sewers (PLEASE CALL 911 FIRST)
Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (72 hours after a rain storm)
By being alert to these items, you can help preserve this valuable natural resource for future generations. You can call Judy Robinson at (717) 761-0119 or email at jrobinson@hampdentownship.us
Watersheds in Hampden Township
Hogestown Run / Trindle Spring Run
Cedar Run
Conodoguinet Creek
Educational Materials
- When it Rains it Drains Brochure
- After the Storm
- Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution Brochure
- Water Efficient Landscaping
- A Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Management: thanks to The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
- "Clean Water is Everybody's Business"
- "Storm Water Pollution Found in Your Area!" Door Hanger
- "Kids Storm Water Stickers"
- "10 Things That You Can Do to Prevent Storm Water Runoff Pollution"
- "Take the Storm Water Runoff Challenge" placemat"