STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

POLLUTION HOTLINE
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, or email a

Stormwater Issue Complaint Form to us at pennsburginfo@pennsburg.us.

Winter Stormwater Management

Did you know that melting snow can actually pollute our waterways?

If there is a significant snowfall or accumulation over multiple storms,

the melting snow becomes surface water and can pick up pollutants

before entering the storm drains. Along with dirt, leaves, and litter,

it also picks up de-icing salts and chemicals.

You can help reducing pollutants several ways. Please read this article

to see what simple changes you can make.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Tips

PERKIOMEN WATERSHED CONSERVANCY 2024 STREAM CLEANUP

Every spring, the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy hosts a watershed-wide clean-up event. During this event, volunteers work together to remove hundreds of bags of trash and other debris from local stream side areas. Clean-up sites are located throughout the watershed! Not sure where you want to volunteer? Check out the Stream Clean-up map to chose a site that works best for you:

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.

SWIMMING POOL WATER DISCHARGE GUIDELINES
Water from swimming pools and hot tubs often contain high levels of chlorine. Discharging chlorinated water into storm drains, streams, irrigation canals or ponds is not permitted due to the danger it may cause fish and other aquatic life.

According to the Department of Environmental Protection, you should follow the following guidelines to dispose of swimming pool or hot tub water.

1. Prior to disposing or using the water for irrigation, shut off the chlorination system if

you have one, or stop adding chlorine.
2. Hold the water in the pool or hot tub for two weeks to reduce the chlorine level.
3. Discharge or use the water for irrigation in an area where the water will not flow into

a stream or storm sewer drain.
4. Discharge or use the water for irrigating your property and ensure it does not flow off

your property.
5. Discharge or use the water for irrigation in a manner that will prevent nuisance

conditions (such as creation of odors, and fly and mosquito breeding conditions).

Nuisance conditions occur when water is held in the pool for a prolonged period.
6. The water should be discharged at a rate which does not create erosion and is able to

be absorbed into the ground.
7. Any solids that have formed in the water should be removed manually.