Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

Protect Our Waterways

If you smell gas, smell oil, or see an oil spill that threatens our waterways call 911.

Stormwater is Everyone's Responsibility

Did you know that the stormwater drains and inlets within your neighborhood have an important impact on the water quality of our streams? Why? Because storm drains flow directly to nearby rivers and streams, not to wastewater treatment plants. Your street is really like waterfront property and everything that rain washes off of your roof, yard, and driveway goes to the nearby water used for swimming, boating, and maybe even drinking. Anything dumped into these drains goes directly into a local stream. Everyone can help. Homeowners, business owners, developers, and other citizens should never dump anything into storm drains so we can protect our water from storm water pollution that may close beaches, cause unsightly weed and algae growth, and even kill fish!

Other Ways to Help

Use less fertilizer on lawns
Recycle used oil
Pick up pet wastes
Dispose of household hazardous waste responsibly
Wash your vehicle at a commercial car wash, not on the driveway

Public Works Drainage & Improvement Projects

Interactive Educational Tools

Educational Video Links by the EPA

Educational Information for Businesses

Links for Students, Teachers, & Scouts

EPA: Kids' Corner
PennState Extension: Virtual Stormwater Education Webinars
- Planting & Growing
- Rain Barrels
USGS Water Science for Schools
- Info on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.
Water Drop Patch
- Girl Scouts can earn this patch related to storm drain projects.
Watershed Patch Project
- Schools, science clubs, and community organizations can participate in this project. Program participants receive a certificate and patch.

Pollution Prevention for Businesses & Restaurants

Fats, Oils, & Grease (FOG)

Use a FOG recycling/rendering service that provides watertight outdoor receptacles of adequate size.
Clean-up FOG spills as soon as they occur. Develop a "spill plan."
Use dry clean-up practices to scrape, wipe or sweep FOG from utensils, equipment and floors prior to using wet clean-up methods.
Don't hose FOG waste down storm drains.
Improper disposal of FOG may lead to by-products in wastewater treatment plants and stormwater systems.
Schedule FOG pick-ups related to volume of FOG generation.
Maintain pavements and exterior grease traps.

Storage Containers

Storage Container Safety

Outdoor storage containers should be water tight, rodent proof & protected from tampering.
If materials aren't stored properly, pollutants can leak from stockpiles and containers and run out onto the ground.
Reduce risk to environment by reducing the amount of materials and wastes kept in storage.
If materials must be stored outside, construct a covered, paved area designed to contain leaks and spills.
Regularly clean up around dumpsters.
If a dumpster leaks, immediately repair or replace it.

Preventing & Cleaning Up Spills

Don't allow open containers or tanks that are being filled to be left unattended.
Use a funnel when transferring liquids from one container to another.
Place trays under open containers and the spouts of liquid storage containers.
Buy products in smaller quantities whenever its cost effective.
Design work areas to contain spills.
Absorbent materials used to clean up hazardous substances must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Rain Gardens

Stormwater Links

Report an Environmental Incident Link

DEP Southeast Regional Office-Report an Environmental Incident

Construction Related Links

Homeowner Related Links

DEP & EPA Links

General Links

Watershed Organizations

Additional Resources & Documents

Please note that the page will refresh each time a document folder is opened or closed and you must scroll back down to view the files in that folder.