Keeping Our Stormwater Clean
The Clean Water Act is the federal statute that regulates the management of stormwater. The most recent National Water Quality Inventory reports that runoff from urbanized areas is the leading source of water quality impairments to surveyed estuaries and the third-largest source of impairments to surveyed lakes. The permit system for the point sources to waters of the U.S. is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program.
Stormwater flowing in to the storm inlets/drains within the Borough makes its way to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The Borough needs all of our residents to support us in keeping our stormwater system clean. Please follow the links to see how you can help: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/CleanWater/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/Be-Stormwater-Smart-.aspx; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act
- Educational Material:
- Storm Drain Brochure
- Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater
- Backyard Conservation
- Chesapeake Stormwater Network
What is an “illicit discharge” and what residents can assist in watching out for:
An illicit (illegal) discharge is any discharge to a municipal storm sewer system – storm drains, pipes, and ditches – that is not composed entirely of stormwater. Pollutants end up in storm sewer systems in a number of ways, many of which are easily preventable. Common indicators of illicit discharge include abnormal odors, strange colors or oil sheen present in or around storm inlets or piping. Examples of illicit discharges are:
- Laundry Wastewater / Detergent
- Waste Oil Disposal / Auto Fluids Flushing
- Home Improvement Waste (e.g. concrete, paint)
- Pesticides and Fertilizers
- Improper Disposal Commercial/Industrial Hazardous Waste
- Pool/Spa Discharge
- Cooking Grease/Household Waste
If you see or become aware of an “illicit” discharge please contact the Borough office at : (717) 763-4483 / email: info@wormleysburgpa.org / Illicit Discharge Report Form