New federal storm water management regulations requires all Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4's), which includes East Norriton Township, to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in order to discharge storm water from our Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).

What does this mean?

East Norriton Township submitted a NPDES permit application to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on March 10, 2003 and received approval for the permit. Under this permit, East Norriton Township must develop and implement a storm water management program within the five-year permit term. We must also track the progress towards the goals of the permit as well as report our progress to DEP on an annual basis. There are six components of the Storm Water Program: Public Education, Public Involvement, Construction Site Runoff Management, Post-Construction Storm water Management, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, and Good Housekeeping and Pollution Prevention.  Please see the links to the six components of Storm Water Management below

*Public Education and Outreach                                                         

*Public Participation/Involvement                                                      

 *Illicit discharge detection and elimination                                      

 *Construction site runoff control                                                                                                                     

*Post Construction Control

*Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

As a result of this Storm Water Program some of the expected benefits include; enhanced fishing, enhanced opportunities for recreation, reduced flood damage, drinking water benefits, navigational benefits, reduced illness and enhanced aesthetic value. There are many ways in which, you the public, can get involved with this program.  These include following the pollution prevention tips being provided by the Township, passing on information about the storm water program to other community residents and reporting any storm water issues to East Norriton Township.

Provided on this web page throughout the five-year permit period, you will find valuable information about storm water issues, as well as updates on the Township's Storm Water Program. The Township has established a committee of staff and consultants which meet on a monthly basis to ensure that the Township is on schedule to meet the annual requirements of the Storm Water Program. In addition, you can view all of the NPDES Storm Water Permit information on DEP's web site at www.dep.state.pa.us and type in the Keyword "stormwater"

If you want to learn more about water and what you can do to help keep it clean, you can check out these exciting web sites for more water wisdom:

Reporting a Pollution Incident

Please contact East Norriton Township if you witness a pollution incident that is impacting or could impact a storm sewer system or surface waterway (such as if you see an oil spill that could enter the storm sewer if it rains or someone dumping into a waterway). We can be reached at:

East Norriton Township
2501 Stanbridge Street
East Norriton, PA 19401
phone: (610) 275-2800
fax: (610) 277-1879
e-mail: info@eastnorritontwp.org

After the Storm

What is stormwater runoff?

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why is stormwater runoff a problem?

Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

The Effects of Pollution

Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people.

• Sediments can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.
• Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can't exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.
• Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary.
• Debris - plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed into waterbodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.
• Household hazardous waste like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
• Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

The amount of pollution that you stop may seem small, but all together it adds up to cleaner water for everyone to enjoy.

If you should witness a pollution incident that is impacting, or could impact, a storm sewer system or surface waterway of East Norriton Township, please contact the municipal building immediately at 610-275-2800 to report the incident.

East Norriton Township's Every Day Tips
to Reduce Stormwater Runoff Pollution

• Choose water based paints and wash your brushes in the sink with water. Water from your plumbing goes to a pollution control plant before ultimately going back to the Delaware River.
• Reuse and recycle paint thinner. Don't pour it down the sink or drain. Take it to a local household hazardous waste disposal center.
• Place dog waste in the toilet or a trash can. Do not leave it on the yard, in the street or dispose of it in a storm drain! Pet waste introduces disease-causing bacteria into our water supply.
• Keep all litter off the street and place it in receptacles so that it does not get washed or blown down storm drains.
• Recycle product containers made of glass, plastic and aluminum.
• Service your car regularly to prevent gasoline, oil, brake and transmission fluids, and anti-freeze from leaking onto the pavement and washing into our streams.
• Use absorbent materials like kitty litter or toweling to soak up any spills, then sweep up and dispose of these items properly. Never dilute spills with water.
• Use fertilizers and herbicides only when necessary, and follow the directions carefully. Use natural, organic fertilizer and avoid applying any fertilizer before heavy rainfalls.
• Set your mower's height at 3 inches. Taller grass establishes deeper roots and healthier lawns which absorbs more stormwater.
• Compost leaves and grass clippings, and use it to enhance your garden's soil next year. Carefully bag any garden waste that you do not compost to keep it out of the storm drains.