Why is stormwater management important to our community? Stormwater management is directly related to our water quality -and water quality affects us all.  Managing stormwater properly protects wildlife, maintains a healthy environment around us and ensures quality drinking water.

Pennsburg Borough operates Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (MS4).  This underground system of pipes carries rainwater and snowmelt away from roads and parking lots and discharges the drainage water into lakes and rivers.  Ideally, this system should transport mostly clean water.  But because rainwater and snowmelt from streets, lawns, farms, and construction sites mixes with lawn fertilizers, pesticides, oil, and other pollutants, the runoff becomes contaminated.  This contaminated water eventually makes its way to into the storm sewer system and ultimately into our rivers, lakes and streams. Stormwater runoff is the most common cause of water pollution.

Part of the requirement for the MS4 Permit requires public education.  Storm Drain Markers meet part of that requirement by educating the public about storm water pollution.

What can you do to help prevent stormwater runoff pollution?
S Use fertilizers sparingly and  sweep up driveways, sidewalks, & gutters
S Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams    
S Vegetate bare spots in your yard
S Compost your yard waste
S Use least toxic pesticides, follow labels, and learn how to prevent pest problems
S Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden to
      capture rainwater
                       

S Take your car to the car wash instead of washing     S it in the street or driveway street or driveway

SCheck your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil     
S Pick up after your pet
 

When it rains, pet waste left on lawns can be washed into storm drains that lead to nearby lakes and streams. Untreated pet waste can cause significant water pollution.  Click here to find out what you can do.

S Have your septic tank pumped and inspected regularly.
   

S Reuse and recycle paint & paint thinner     Sor take it to a local hazardous waste     S             collection location                Click here for dates and locations:     S   2009 Hazardous Waste Collection

S   Keep all litter off the street and place it in receptacles so that it does not get washed or
S  blown down storm drains
S Service your car regularly to prevent gasoline, oil, brake and transmission fluids,                 S  and anti-freeze from leaking onto the pavement and washing into our streams  
S Recycle product containers made of glass, plastic and aluminum
S Use absorbent materials like kitty litter or toweling to soak up any spills, then sweep up
S  and dispose of these items properly -  never dilute spills with water

If you see any type of incident that may impact a storm sewer system, such as an oil spill or other contaminant that may lead to a storm drain, please contact the Pennsburg Borough Office at 215-679-4546, ext. 3.