Introduction
Stormwater management concerns the control of water (from rain, melting ice or snow) that runs off the surface of the land. The amount and rate of runoff is increased considerably as land is developed; construction of impervious surface (e.g. parking lots) hinders the infiltration of rainfall into the soil. Therefore stormwater management is imperative to offset the possible impacts of development – flooding and erosion problems, concentration of flow on neighboring properties, damages 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).
Federal regulations enacted in December 1999 require Newtown Borough to improve on their existing stormwater management program.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater program requires that Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) address the six required elements contained in the federal regulations to reduce water pollution:
Public education and outreach
Public participation and involvement
Illicit discharge detection and elimination
Construction Site Stormwater Runoff
Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment
Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance
Stormwater Basics https://extension.psu.edu/water/stormwater-management/see-all-stormwater-management
Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater http://www.stormwaterguide.org/
Preventing Stormwater Pollution
Stormwater runoff occurs when water from rain or snow and ice melting flows over the ground. Stormwater becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants as it flows or when it causes flooding and erosion of streambanks. Stormwater travels through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up storm sewer systems. It eventually flows directly to a lake, river, stream, wetland or coastal water. All of the pollutants stormwater carries along the way empty into our waters, too, because stormwater does not get treated!
Here are some of the most important ways for Borough residents to prevent stormwater pollution:
Friendly Reminders
When you’re fertilizing the lawn, remember you’re not just fertilizing the lawn.
You fertilize the lawn. Then it rains. The rain washes the fertilizer along the curb, into the storm drain, and directly into our streams, ponds, lakes and into coastal waters, including the Delaware Bay. This causes algae to grow, which uses up oxygen that fish need to survive. So if you fertilize, please follow directions and use sparingly.
When your pet goes on the lawn, remember it doesn’t just go on the lawn.
When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that pet waste and bacteria into our storm drains. And then pollutes our waterways. So what to do? Simple. Dispose of it properly (preferably in the toilet). Then that little surprise gets treated like it should.
Water Quality Hotlines
Residents can help report violations or problems they notice in their neighborhood and local streams before they cause more damage and pollution. Residents sometimes may be the first to recognize "illicit" discharges dumping into storm sewers or coming out of from storm sewer outfalls. You can help by promptly reporting the following events to the authorities listed below.
Here are some of the conditions that you should report and who to contact:
Sediment leaving a construction site in stormwater
Off site discharge of sediment, erosion, and other improper controls during construction
Bucks County Conservation District
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority
Newtown Artesian Water Company
Newtown Borough
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
Educational Brochures
General Information
Information for Homeowners and Residents:
Information for Businesses:
Information for Builders and Developers
Additional Links
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Bucks County Conservation District
Center for Watershed Protection
Polluted Runoff At this site, there are several sub-topics under the “Quick Finder” section that may be useful for MS4s
EPA Watersheds
Environmental Links:
Newtown Creek Coalition
Heritage Conservancy
Pennsylvania's State Recycling Association
Recyclable Plastics
Recycling Guide 2021
2018-2028 Bucks County Municipal Waste Management Plan
Society of Wetland Scientists