Do Your Part to Support Clean Stormwater

Automotive Fluids – Oils, grease, coolant and other chemicals can seriously harm aquatic life when leaked through the ground or into storm inlets that drain to nearby creeks. Check and maintain your vehicle regularly. Service your vehicle on impervious surfaces so that leaks and spills do not soak through the ground. When servicing your vehicle, use drip pans to collect leaks and spills. Use an absorbent or rags to soak up leaks and spills and dispose of them properly. If leaks or spills are left on paved surfaces, the contaminants will be washed into the storm drains and into nearby creeks upon the next rainfall event. Landscaping – Sweep up grass clippings after mowing the lawn and bag the clippings to put out with your regular trash. Grass clippings and leaves blown into the street will eventually wash into the storm drains, clogging the drains and cause flooding, or give added unwanted nutrients in the streams. In addition, proper and efficient use of lawn chemicals helps prevent excess runoff of chemicals into streams.

Pet Waste – Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters. When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies.

Pool Water Discharge – Pool water containing Chlorine, even in low levels, when discharged directly into the storm drains or sewers can adversely impact the aquatic life within the creek. Only clear water with a pH factor lower than 10 or higher than 6 may be discharged. In addition, pool water should not be discharged onto paved streets that indirectly drain towards storm inlets and into the creeks. PA DEP guidelines suggest discharging pool water over pervious or grassy areas at a rate that allows for the water to infiltrate and aerate the ground so that erosion does not occur.

Tips on Preventing Stormwater Pollution

For Residents:

• Never dump anything down storm drains and report anyone who does. Contact the Townships Public Works Department (610-734-7635) to report any illegal dumping.
• Pick up after your pet and dispose of their waste properly – DO NOT throw their waste into storm drains.
• Do not discharge chlorinated pool water down storm drains or directly into the creek.
• Check your car for leaks and recycle motor oil.
• Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
• Sweep up the grass clippings after mowing your lawn.
• Do not blow or pile leaves into the streets that may eventually clog storm drains.
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly, avoiding excess to prevent polluted runoff.
• Seed or vegetate bare spots in your lawn to prevent soil erosion.
• Compost your yard waste.
• Dispose of your hazardous wastes properly. The Delaware County Solid Waste Authority (DCSWA) offers several household hazardous waste drop-off events throughout the year.
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces. Install innovative stormwater practices that can help capture stormwater and keep it on site to use for gardening purposes or let it infiltrate back into the groundwater. See www.prc.org for information on Rain Barrels.
• Educate your relatives and neighbors on proper stormwater stewardship.
• Please call the Public Works Department at 610-734-7635 to report any discharges from stormwater outfalls during times of dry weather, a sign there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.
• For additional resource guides visit the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

For Businesses/Developers:

• Never dump anything down storm drains and report anyone who does. Use the PA DEP Citizen’s Complaint form to report any illegal dumping.
• Use drip pans or buckets to contain or catch oil leaks. Properly label all hazardous waste containers. Dispose of your hazardous wastes properly.
• Use Best Management Practices (BMP) to prevent construction runoff. Additional BMP info can be found on DEP's BMP Manual
• Regularly service your business vehicles to prevent oil leaks, and take your business vehicles to the car wash instead of washing it in the lot.
• Regularly inspect, maintain and service your grease traps, and do not clean filters or traps near a storm drain.
• Do not rinse or clean your cement trucks near a storm drain.
• Do not discharge chlorinated pool water down storm drains or directly into the creek.
• Use due diligence in inspecting and maintaining your underground detention basins.
• Train and educate your employees on stormwater best management practices. Use posters to aid in trainings and to serve as reminders.
• Please call the Public Works Department at 610-734-7635 to report any discharges from stormwater outfalls during times of dry weather, a sign there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.
• For additional resource guides visit the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

Environmental Violation / Environmental Emergency

An environmental violation is an activity that does not comply with an environmental law or regulation. Examples of environmental violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• improper treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous wastes;
• illegal dumping of wastes or chemicals in storm drains;
• late-night dumping at prohibited dumping sites;
• unpermitted dredging or filling of waters and wetlands;
• sanitary sewer overflows onto the streets and creeks;
• any unpermitted activity that may cause harm to the health and well-being of inhabitants in the streams

An environmental emergency is a sudden threat to the public health or the well-being of the environment, arising from the release or potential release of oil, radioactive materials, or hazardous chemicals into the air, land, or water. Examples of environmental emergencies include, but is not limited, to the following:

• oil and chemical spills,
• radiological and biological discharges, and
• accidents causing releases of pollutants

These emergencies may occur from transportation accidents, events at chemical or other facilities using or manufacturing chemicals, or as a result of natural or man-made disaster events. If you witness an environmental emergency call 911 or the National Response Center at: 1-800-424-8802.