Stormwater Management Program

When It Rains It Drains Upper Gwynedd Township, along with all municipalities, are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) to address stormwater issues using public education as well as a variety of best management practices or BMP's. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimal standards for stormwater management that are the basis for the PaDEP's MS4 Stormwater Management Program Protocols. "MS4" stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System and refers to communities within urbanized or urbanizing areas with municipally managed storm sewer systems. The MS4 protocol provides detailed plans for developing and implementing a municipal stormwater management program. Six Minimum Control Measures outline actions that local MS4 municipalities myst take to comply with state and federal regulations. They are as follows:

Public education and outreach
Public involvement and participation
Illicit discharge detection and elimination
Construction site storm water runoff control
Post construction storm water management
Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations

What Is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from rain and melted snow that flows across the ground into the storm sewers found at low points and along the sides of streets. The stormwater flows through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up the storm sewer system. The water eventually finds its way to lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and the ocean.

What's The Problem?

Stormwater becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants which end up in our receiving waters that we use for drinking water and recreation.

What Can You Do To Help?

Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as used oil, cleaning supplies and paint.

Please contact the Montgomery County Hazardous Waste Recycling Program for collection dates and locations. Call 610-278-3618 or visit their website: www.wsaemc.org

Use pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff. Avoid blowing grass clippings and leaves into the street. Help keep storm inlets clear of trash and other debris.

Look for signs and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals, leaving in stormwater runoff or tracked onto roads by construction vehicles. Report poorly managed construction sites that could impact stormwater runoff to our community.

Pick up after your pets and dispose of their waste properly.

Report any discharges from storm system outfalls during times of dry weather. This is a sign that there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.

Install innovative stormwater practices on residential property, such as rain barrels or rain gardens, that capture stormwater and keep it on site instead of letting it drain away into the stormwater system.

For more information, click here Department of Environmental Protection

To view the Upper Gwynedd Township Stormwater Ordinance click Stormwater Management

Upper Gwynedd Township is in partnership with the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed. You can visit their websites at: www.perkiomenwatershed.org, or www.wvwa.org