Stormwater Management

YOU CAN HELP TO PROMOTE STORMWATER

MANAGEMENT EFFORTS

Stormwater is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what are commonly called storm sewers. These are the drains you see at street corners or at low points on the sides of streets. Collectively, the draining water is called stormwater runoff.

Lower Salford Township, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is currently taking steps to prevent stormwater pollution through a Federally mandated program that seeks better stormwater management. The Township adopted a Stormwater Management Ordinance on March 2, 2005. It identifies illegal discharges into stormwater systems and provides penalties for violations. Listed below are some ways that individuals can prevent stormwater pollution:

Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as oil, cleaning supplies and paint. Never pour them into the storm sewer system.

Properly and efficiently use pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides to prevent excess amounts into runoff

Pick up after pets and dispose of their wastes in the toilet or in the Dogipot Pet Stations when using the community path.

Wash your car on grass or gravel instead of on the street or in the driveway. Or better yet, take your car to the carwash where the water is treated and recycled.

As an active participant in the 5-year NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) program, Lower Salford Township is taking many steps to reduce stormwater pollution:

Assists the Montgomery County Conservation District in monitoring the proper installation and effectiveness of silt fence in filtering soil and other debris from stormwater leaving construction sites.

Minimizes run-off from topsoil stockpiles and excavated areas by monitoring straw, mulch or hydroseed ground covers for such areas.

Prevents pollution of stormwater by being environmental stewards in the operation and maintenance of municipal vehicles and maintenance and inspections of stormwater facilities.

Use of well designed drainage swales, which allow absorption of water for plants and soil and creation of buffers/no-mow zones along watercourses throughout the Township. An award-winning riparian buffer, for example, has been created at the Ted Dannerth Park near the Stormfield development.

Mapping all stormwater discharge points from stormwater system outfalls and monitoring such outfalls for discharges during dry weather which could signal a failure within the system

Initiate and develop an identification marker system at roads and curbs adjacent to our stormwater inlets. This is to increase public awareness that stormwater systems feed our creeks, streams, ponds and lakes and need to be free of debris, oil and other pollutants. The Township is seeking volunteer groups to assist us in the effort! If your group is interested contact Assistant Township Manager Mary West at 215-256-8087 or email to: mwest@lowersalfordtownship.org