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Clean Water
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Clean Water Begins with You – Be a Part of the Solution!
STORM DRAINS
Never dump anything down a storm drain, especially used motor oil or antifreeze. Dispose of these properly at a local service station or approved recycling center.
PET WASTE
Pet waste can be a major source of excess nutrients and bacteria to local waterbodies. It is important to always pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste properly. More Information....
AUTO CARE
Washing your car at home on the driveway or street can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm system. It is best to wash your car at a commercial car wash where they treat and recycle the wastewater. If you do wash your car at home, do so in your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
STREAMBANK LANDSCAPING
Erosion of streambanks can be prevented through the use of vegetated strips along the banks. Also known as riparian buffers, these strips of tall grasses, trees, and flowers act to stabilize banks, which prevents erosion and additional sediment load in the stream
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING
Downspouts: Direct all downspouts away from impervious surfaces and onto lawns. Rain barrels can be used to collect the rainwater from downspouts. This water can be used later on the lawn and garden.
Lawn care: Fertilizers and pesticides should be used sparingly. When applied in excess, these chemicals are washed off by rainwater and enter the local storm sewer system. Additionally, it is important not to sweep yard waste and leaves into the street. These add extra nutrients to streams.
Rain Gardens or Grassy Swales: These specially designed gardens can be planted with native vegetation to provide an area for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Stormwater from rooftop drains and pavement areas can be directed to these vegetated areas.
Clean Water Begins with You – Be a Part of the Solution!
STORM DRAINS
Never dump anything down a storm drain, especially used motor oil or antifreeze. Dispose of these properly at a local service station or approved recycling center.
PET WASTE
Pet waste can be a major source of excess nutrients and bacteria to local waterbodies. It is important to always pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste properly. More Information....
AUTO CARE
Washing your car at home on the driveway or street can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm system. It is best to wash your car at a commercial car wash where they treat and recycle the wastewater. If you do wash your car at home, do so in your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
STREAMBANK LANDSCAPING
Erosion of streambanks can be prevented through the use of vegetated strips along the banks. Also known as riparian buffers, these strips of tall grasses, trees, and flowers act to stabilize banks, which prevents erosion and additional sediment load in the stream
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING
Downspouts: Direct all downspouts away from impervious surfaces and onto lawns. Rain barrels can be used to collect the rainwater from downspouts. This water can be used later on the lawn and garden.
Lawn care: Fertilizers and pesticides should be used sparingly. When applied in excess, these chemicals are washed off by rainwater and enter the local storm sewer system. Additionally, it is important not to sweep yard waste and leaves into the street. These add extra nutrients to streams.
Rain Gardens or Grassy Swales: These specially designed gardens can be planted with native vegetation to provide an area for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Stormwater from rooftop drains and pavement areas can be directed to these vegetated areas.
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Stormwater Management/MS4 Program
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Information on where to Report illicit, nonpermitted discharges into storm sewers or out of pipes into streams.
Stormwater Management Information
NPDES Permit Program Basics
This section of this website contains basic information on the major features and elements of the NPDES permit program. The information in this section will be most useful to state and tribal officials, interested citizens, and others with an interest in the details of the NPDES program. This information is broadly applicable to all NPDES permits and programs, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), combined sewer overflows (CSOs), pretreatment, sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), stormwater and whole effluent toxicity (WET). More...
EPA Stormwater Program Overview
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is discharged untreated. The primary method to control stormwater discharges is the use of best management practices (BMPs). In addition, most stormwater discharges are considered point sources and require coverage under an NPDES permit. For more information about the Stormwater program, visit the Stormwater Basic Information page. More....
EPA MS4 Overview
Polluted stormwater runoff is commonly transported through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), from which it is often discharged untreated into local waterbodies. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, operators must obtain a NPDES permit and develop a stormwater management program. More...
DEP Stormwater Management Program
The Bureau of Watershed Management's mission is to restore and protect Pennsylvania's watersheds through: proper planning and management of water resources and their uses; reducing the impacts of nonpoint sources of pollution on water resources; regulating activities for soil conservation and waterway and wetlands protection;forming partnerships and building local capacity to restore and protect water resources, including drinking water sources; and educating Pennsylvania citizens about watersheds and watershed management. More...
DEP Southeast Regional Office
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR HOMEOWNERS
There are many different ways to help manage stormwater. The link leads to information on how homeowners can install stormwater best management practices (BMPs). BMPs are methods for reducing and infiltrating stormwater runoff, a process through which the water is filtered by plants and permeates through the soil before it reaches our streams. These actions can greatly slow and reduce the volume of runoff generated by impervious surfaces.
- Introduction (13 pages, 9.2 MB)
- Rain Gardens (10 pages, 7.03 MB)
- Vegetated Swale (9 pages, 3.03 MB)
- Dry Well (7 pages, 1.19 MB)
- Infiltration Bed (12 pages, 7.44 MB)
- Infiltration Trench (6 pages, 5.12 MB)
- Planter Box (7 pages, 5.05 MB)
- Rain Barrel (4 pages, 2.38 MB)
- Riparian Buffer Plantings (14 pages, 9.35 MB)
- Native Landscape Restoration (9 pages, 5.33 MB)
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
- Philadelphia Water Department's A Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management (32 pages, 1.75 MB)
- Less-Toxic Products for Pest Management (2 pages, 72 KB)
- 10 Safer Ways to Fight Pests (1 page, 84 KB)
- Rainbarrels ABC (4 pages, 486 KB)
- We All Live Down Stream. (1 page, 468 KB)
- Clean Water Begins with You. (1 page, 480 KB)
- How Much Rain can a Tree Retain? (1 page, 344 KB)
- Rain and Drainage Information (1 page, 1.09 MB)
- MS4 Outreach Education Presentation (29 pages, 1.67 MB)
- How to Make a Rain Barrel (2 pages, 196 KB)
TIPS FOR RESIDENTS
- Thirsty? (1 page, 208 KB)
- Catch of the Day (1 page, 108 KB)
- GRASSCYCLING (2 pages, 120 KB)
- Rain Garden (32 pages, 2.98 MB)
- Canines for Clean Creeks (1 page, 76 KB)
- Car Washing Information (1 page, 4.84 MB)
- Septic System Information (1 page, 448 KB)
- Winter Deicing Tips (1 page, 432 KB)
- Vehicle Maintenance Tips (1 page, 484 KB)
- Pet Waste Tips (1 page, 480 KB)
- Fertilizing Tips (1 page, 484 KB)
- Water Conservation Tips (2 pages, 336 KB)
- Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Management (32 pages)
TIPS ON HOW TO MANAGE AND REDUCE STORMWATER AND FLOODING
TIPS FOR CONTRACTORS
OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
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Going Green Info
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