Only stormwater is allowed in the Borough storm sewer

system; anything else can be a violation of Borough Code and

should be reported.

Residents may be the first to recognize “illicit” discharges

dumping into storm sewers or coming out of from storm

sewer outfalls. If you see an “illicit” discharge please report

it by calling the borough office at 215-257-5550 between 8:45

a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Monday thru Thursday, or email us at:

silverdaleboro@comcast.net. Take photos, if possible.

During non-business hours if you witness Illegal dumping activity into streams or storm sewers (PLEASE CALL 911 )

We encourage you to visit the following sites to become more aware of how you can help to protect our water sources.

EPA Water Pollution Prevention and Control: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/

EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/stormwater/index.cfm

National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/swbmp/index.cfm

Stormwater Outreach Materials and Reference Documents: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/stormwater/Stormwater-Outreach-Materials-and-Reference-Documents.cfm

MS4 Fact Sheets: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/stormwater/Stormwater-Phase-II-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet-Series.cfm

Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source Pollution: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/index.cfm. At this site, there are several sub-topics under the “Quick Finder” section that may be useful for MS4s.

EPA Watersheds: http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/index.cfm

Storm Water Basic Information

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Program regulates storm water discharges from three potential sources: municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, and industrial activities. Most storm water discharges are considered point sources, and operators of these sources may be required to receive an NPDES permit before they can discharge. This permitting mechanism is designed to prevent storm water runoff from washing harmful pollutants into local surface waters such as streams, rivers, lakes or coastal waters.

Most states are authorized to implement the NPDES Storm Water Program and administer their own storm water permitting programs. EPA remains the permitting authority in a few states, territories and on most tribal lands. For these areas, EPA provides oversight and issues storm water permits.

Stormwater Public Education – Stormwater Information for Homeowners

Silverdale Borough operates a Municipal Stormwater System (MSS) that is permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). This Permit requires that the borough:

Continue public education and outreach activities
Notify and solicit public input and involvement regarding management of the stormwater system
Monitor, test and eliminate illicit discharges from outfalls (stormwater exiting pipes into the waterways) in the system
Control construction site stormwater runoff through enforcement of ordinances
Ensure that all post-construction stormwater improvements in new or re-developed areas are built as designed and are operated and maintained properly
Implement a pollution prevention program for municipal operations

This webpage is offered to educate residents about stormwater regulations, potential water pollution or flooding as a result of our local activities in the watershed. Nearly all of our Borough newsletters have included an article about stormwater in the last five years or more as part of the PA DEP MSS Permit “public education” process. Borough and commercial development construction activities are monitored by the Borough Engineer.

What is Stormwater and Why Is It So Important? 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 picks up fertilizers, dirt, chemicals, pesticides, oil, grease and many other pollutants and discharges it into our streams and rivers. This untreated discharge is detrimental to our water quality as it can adversely affect our drinking water supply and the environment. In Silverdale Borough, polluted stormwater could contaminate the East Branch Perkiomen Creek.Many Best Management Practices (BMPs), such as detention or infiltration basins, are already in place to help keep our waters clean.What Does the Borough Do to Regulate Stormwater?The Borough enforces Stormwater Ordinance No. 305. A copy of Ordinance 305 is available for viewing at our Borough office which is located at: 100 W. Park Avenue.Silverdale Borough regulates stormwater management through a permit that is obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) (www.depweb.state.pa.us) 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) (http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/munic.cfm?program_id=6) that is administered by the PA DEP.The Borough also requires a Stormwater Management Plan Review if the stormwater management project is not part of a formal Land Development.How Can Residents Help?There are many ways you can help the Borough with its stormwater program and participate in activities and programs that will keep pollutants, chemicals, trash, and other waste products out of our waterways.Residents can help by watching for:

• Sediment leaving a construction site via stormwater runoff

• Spills (chemical, gas, oil)

• Illegal dumping activity into streams or storm sewers (PLEASE CALL 911 FIRST)

• Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (at least 72 hours after a rain storm)

10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Stormwater Runoff Pollution

Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and gutters
Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams
Vegetate bare spots in your yard
Compost your yard waste
Use least toxic pesticides, follow labels, and learn how to prevent pest problems
Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden to capture runoff
Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway
Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil
Pick up after your pet
Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly

Residents may be the first to recognize “illicit” discharges dumping into storm sewers or coming out of from storm sewer outfalls. If you see an “illicit” discharge please report it by calling the borough office at 215-257-5550 between 8:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Monday thru Thursday, or email us at: silverdaleboro@comcast.net. Take photos, if possible.

Things You and Your Community Can Do to Protect Water Resources

Maintain open, forested floodplains.
Filling floodplains shortchanges the filtering power of natural areas and increases flooding elsewhere. It is also illegal.

Plant trees and maintain streamside buffers.
Streamside trees and native vegetation help filter stormwater runoff and help hold streambank soils in place. DEP recently enacted a 75′ buffer along streams to enhance water quality and reduce stormwater runoff.

Maintain a naturally vegetated edge between creeks and pastures or cultivated fields.
A naturally vegetated stream buffer will filter out excess fertilizers and pesticides from adjacent farm fields.

Promote clustering where new development is likely.
Clustered developments require less pavement for roads and sidewalks and retain more of the overall parcel as open space.

Disconnect your downspout from the street drain and Plant a Rain Garden.
Rainwater from your roof is just as damaging to creeks and streams as run off from a parking lot. Let your yard help filter out impurities and infiltrate stormwater back into your aquifer. If you don’t have street drains, be certain stormwater coming through your downspouts is directed onto your own property and not into the road, road ditch, or a neighbor’s property. Consider disconnecting your downspouts and installing rain barrels instead. They can provide water for your gardens. Bucks County Conservation District supports the construction of rain gardens and puts out this rain garden pamphlet.

Reduce your use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides
Follow directions for weed killers and pesticides very carefully, or consider discontinuing their use. Much of the chemicals and fertilizers you apply in the spring flow directly into the local creeks and seep into ground waters because the grass is not ready to absorb it. Set your mower height at 3 inches and use a mulching mower to create a healthy, organic lawn. Fertilize only in the fall.

Never, ever, dump household substances or used oil into a storm drain.
Bring used oil to certified recyclers.

Convert large yards or public spaces from mown grass to meadows.
The typical suburban lawn is nearly as impervious as a parking lot! Native meadow grasses infiltrate stormwater better and provide critical habitat for grassland birds. Consider converting a portion of your lawn into a meadow with paths through it to observe the wildlife.

Pick up after your pets and keep livestock out of streams.
Pet and animal wastes carry many harmful bacteria and possible diseases. They make creeks less amenable to native critters and require expensive water treatment for human use. Studies by the Center for Watershed Protection have found that a significant portion of fecal coliform bacteria in residential stormwater originates from canine waste.

Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Reduce impervious surfaces. Patios and parking spaces can be created with attractive pervious materials that allow stormwater infiltration to the soils below.

Clean Water and the Business Community

Silverdale Borough encourages our business community to practice Best Management Practices

Contractors, please be sure you are in compliance with state mandated stormwater regulations.

Snow Management and Disposal<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109526/3800-FS-DEP1634.pdf>,

Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109593/3850-PA-DEP4500.pdf>,

Management of Cleaning Wastewater<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-102675/3800-FS-DEP1944.pdf>,

Chapter 92a Fees<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108404/3800-FS-DEP4493.pdf>,

the PA Clean Streams Law<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-106797/Clean%20Streams%20Law%20(2014).pdf>,

the Stormwater Management Act (Act 167)<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-87074/3930-BK-DEP0121.pdf>,

the PA Stormwater BMP Manual<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/View/Collection-8305>,

Stream Improvement Program<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108190/3130-FS-DEP2179.pdf>,

Erosion and Sediment Control Requirements<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107599/3150-FS-DEP4096.pdf>,