Hatfield Township

Litter, dirt, soaps, oil, gas, fertilizer, pet waste, and chemicals can run down pavement and into unfiltered storm drains, contaminating the water supply.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has a statewide program designed to improve our quality of water. The program requires all municipalities in populated areas to detect and eliminate Non-Point Source Pollution (NPSP). NPSP is a combination of contaminants from various sources that find their way into our streams, lakes, and rivers by way of rainfall and snowmelt. Many of the pollutants include but are not limited to pet waste, soap, oil, gasoline, littler, cigarette butts and sediments. The main outlet of these contaminants is from storm drain discharge. Storm drains offer no means of filtration and are easy targets for illegal dumping. It is important that residents understand that what goes down storm drains ultimately ends up in lakes, streams, and other bodies of water. To insure healthy water for both aquatic life and human consumption we must first detect and hence eliminate NPSP.

Hatfield Township is doing its part. The township has begun monitoring and testing of storm sewer outfalls that have flow during dry periods. The township is asking for all residents to cooperate with the inspectors, as some outfalls are located on private properties. All information from this inspection will be used to remedy any area deemed polluted.

The township is asking residents and business owners to do their part. Please dispose of litter and pet waste properly, keeping soaps, oil, gas, and all chemicals off of the pavement and out of storm drains. Also, use fertilizers sparingly and properly, as this can cause unwanted algae growth in bodies of water. And remember, dumping of anything down a storm drain is illegal and violators may be fined.

Stormwater/Water Management Links

DEP

• PADEP – MS4 Resources: http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Stormwater/Pages/MS4-Resources.aspx#.VtWaHFsrKUk
• PADEP - MS4 Stormwater Activity Book for children:http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/BPNPSM/StormwaterManagement/MunicipalStormwater/MuniSWResources/MS4_Partners_Stormwater_Activity_Book_2015-rv2.pdf
• DEP Southeast Regional Office:http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/SoutheastRegion/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWfKFsrKUk
• PA DEP Stormwater Management Program:http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWiP1srKUl
• DEP – E&S for Single Family Homes and Minor Construction Projects:http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107599/3150-FS-DEP4096.pdf
• DEP – Snow Management and Removal: http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109526/3800-FS-DEP1634.pdf
• DEP – Swimming Pool Discharge Guidelines:
• http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108937/3850-FS-DEP4251.pdf
• DEP – Stream Improvement Program:
  http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108190/3130-FS-DEP2179.pdf
• DEP – Minimizing Accelerated Soil Erosion & Preventing Sediment Pollution:http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107595/3150-FS-DEP1841.pdf
• DEP – Reporting Requirements for Spills and Pollution Incidents under PA Clean Streams Law:http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-101220/3800-FS-DEP4449.pdf
• DEP – Water Quality Standards:http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/WaterQuality/Pages/default.aspx#.VtW6sy0o6Uk

EPA

• EPA – Stormwater Fact Sheets and Outreach Materials:https://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/docs.cfm?document_type_id=3&view=Fact%2520Sheets%2520and%2520Outreach%2520Materials&program_id=6&sort=name
• EPA - Stormwater Basic Information:http://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program
• EPA - Stormwater Discharges from MS4’s:
  http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources#overview
• EPA - MS4 Overview:http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-0.pdf
• EPA - MS4 Fact Sheet:http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-1.pdf
• EPA –Urbanized area Definition:http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-2.pdf
• EPA – Public Education and Outreach:https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-3.pdf
• EPA – Public Participation and Involvement:https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-4.pdf
• EPA – Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination:https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-5.pdf
• EPA - Construction Site Runoff Control:https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-6.pdf
• EPA – Post-Construction Runoff Control:https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-7.pdf
• EPA – Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping:https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-8.pdf
• EPA – National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices:
  http://www.epa.gov/npdes/national-menu-best-management-practices-bmps-stormwater#edu
• EPA – Stormwater Permit Coverage for Construction Sites:https://www3.epa.gov/region10/pdf/water/stormwater_permit_brochure_print.pdf
• EPA – After the Storm:
  https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/after_the_storm.pdf
• EPA – Stormwater Management Practices:
  http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management-practices-epa-facilities
• EPA – Stormwater Management:http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management
• EPA – Green Infrastructure:http://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure
• EPA Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Menu:
  http://www.epa.gov/npdes/national-menu-best-management-practices-bmps-stormwater-documents
• EPA – Evaluating the Effectiveness of Municipal Stormwater Programs:https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/region3_factsheet_swmp.pdf
• EPA – Water Pollution Prevention and Control:http://www.epa.gov/p2/learn-about-pollution-prevention

MISC

• Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy:http://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/
• DEP – Raingardens and Rain Barrels: http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109593/3850-PA-DEP4500.pdf'
• Rain Barrel Resources:http://www.rainbarrelresource.com/
• PADOT Adopt-a Highway:http://www.penndot.gov/about-us/AdoptaHighway/Pages/default.aspx#.VtSv9lsrKUk
• MCPC - Stormwater Management in Montgomery County:http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=1738
• Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater:http://www.stormwaterguide.org/static/HomeownersGuide.pdf
• Green Guide for Property Management:http://schuylkillwaters.org/doc_files/Green%20Guide%20for%20Property%20Management.pdf
• Center for Watershed Protection Municipal Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping Practices (Manual 9):http://www.in.gov/indot/files/Municipal_Pollution_Prevention_and_Good_Housekeeping.pdf

How can you help protect your storm drains?
Click here for more details.
Car Washing Information
Buffer Planting and Education Model- Powerpoint presentation about the 2003 Castle Heights neighborhood buffer planting and the importance of buffer planting for waterways feeding to watersheds.

For More Information
For any questions or concerns regarding stormwater or to report illicit discharges to the storm sewer system, please call the Township at (215) 855-0900.