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StormwaterPA Video

Lower Salford Township Bullfrog Creek

Riparian Buffer

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS INFORMATIVE VIDEO ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RIPARIAN BUFFERS

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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

Development of public information initiatives

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DELAWARE ESTUARY REGIONAL STORM DRAIN

MARKING PROJECT

Volunteers needed to help keep our waterways clean

Most stormwater flows into storm drains (also called sewer inlets) in the street, many of which empty directly into local creeks that eventually make their way to the Delaware River. Polluted stormwater harms these waterways, which we rely on for drinking water and recreation. You can help make our waterways safer for drinking, fishing and swimming by keeping pollutants and trash out of the storm drains. The drain markers are an important step in making residents aware of the stormwater runoff pollution problem. All marking supplies are provided by the Township. If you are interested in learning more about this very important project, please contact Mary L. West, Assistant Township Manager, at 215-256-8087.

Thank you to the following participants for marking the storm drains in their neighborhood:

Stefan Bergman and Jocelyn Stauffer – 35 drains marked

Alexander Bimson & 20 Volunteers - 186 drains marked in 4 different neighborhoods. Below are pictures of Alex (left) and the other volunteers preparing to mark another drain.

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RAIN BARRELS & RAIN GARDENS

Water is not unlimited on our earth and concerned people are starting to ask what can be done about it. Being able to capture rainwater on your own property for future use in your garden was the topic discussed by Kristina Henderson, from the Montgomery County Conservation District, at a workshop held at the Township Building on October 7th. Kristina explained to those in attendance about stormwater best management practices (BMP’s) for the homeowner and followed up with a rain barrel demonstration. Everyone in attendance received a rain barrel voucher and will get a barrel delivered directly to their home, thanks to a grant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 319 Program. Kelly Germann, Conservation Coordinator with the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, presented The Land and Water Are One, an in depth look into what exactly a watershed is and Robin Youmans, Lower Salford Township’s Engineer, explained how Lower Salford Township is meeting the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) requirements. Another way you can help reduce stormwater pollution is to build a rain garden in your own backyard. You can capture rainwater from your roof and driveway and divert it into a beautiful rain garden, where it can slowly soak into the ground. Mimicking the natural absorption and pollutant removal abilities of a forest or meadow, rain gardens can absorb runoff more efficiently that a standard lawn. Get more information about rain gardens at www.raingardennetwork.com.