Stormwater Management

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit regulations, Willistown Township is required to develop and implement a stormwater management program.

The program is based on the federal Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) protocol (developed by DEP).

Best Management Practices

The DEP’s protocols provide our township with suitable guidelines to design a local program that addresses the DEP’s six Best Management Practices (or BMPs), which are also known as control measures.

These six BMP’s are designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from MS4s, to the maximum extent practicable, to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act.

Best Management Practices Categories

The six BMP categories are:

  • Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control Measure
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Control Measure
  • Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations and Maintenance Control Measure
  • Post Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment Control Measure
  • Public Education and Outreach Control Measure
  • Public Participation and Involvement Control Measure

The federal regulations provide flexibility within these six categories of BMP’s.

Best Management Practices Guidelines

Go to best management practices links for pet owners, business owners, property management, and automobile maintenance.

Residents Can Help Too
Remember that goes into a storm sewer eventually drains into a stream. Please:

  1. Monitor storm sewer inlets near your property.  No one should be dumping anything into the storm sewer system.  Contact the Police Department at 610-647-1440 immediately if you witness illegal dumping.
  2. Clean up after your pets and dispose of their waste properly.
  3. Use fertilizers properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff.
  4. Properly store materials that could contaminate water supply.
  5. Report any chemical spills.

    Read the Be Stormwater Smart Brochure or watch the short video.

Report Violations or Problems

Citizens are important advocates for the health of our local streams and water systems. To report a concern, see the list of events to report and whom to contact.

Additional Information

Township residents can learn more about these regulations and the need to improve stormwater quality by visiting the DEP website, or reviewing the Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association website.