Thornbury Township Draft PRP report

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What is Stormwater
What is Stormwater Management?
Stormwater Management Ordinance, Simplified Plans, & Applications
Report Illicit Discharge
Stormwater Tips
Residential Landscaping Tips
Stormwater Educational Materials
Resources to Help Homeowners Better Manage Stormwater
Links for Construction Related Activities
Township Responsibilities
State and Federal Stormwater Websites
Stormwater is Everybody’s Business!
Who are you going to call?
Want to Learn More?
Get Involved!

Stormwater

It is everyone’s responsibility to protect our streams and rivers. Thornbury Township manages storm water by balancing flood/erosion control with water quality. The Township is responsible for maintaining storm inlets, pipes, and detention basins that are located on Township property or in Township rights of way. Each property owner is responsible for managing storm water on his/her property.

If you see pollution in streams or storm water facilities in Thornbury Township, please contact the Township office at 610.399-1425.

Christina Watersheds Municipal Partnership

https://cwmp.org/

The CWMP is a partnership of local public, private, and non-profit organizations in the Chester County, PA, portion of the Christina Basin, concerned with keeping our watershed clean and healthy, providing a benefit to all our residents. The Partnership focuses on stormwater (all water that falls as rain and runs off into our creeks and rivers), providing support to local townships, boroughs, and cities, to help meet the state’s standards for clean streams. Pennsylvania requires that all municipalities to develop strategies to protect our waterways, and the CWMP serves as a resource to help ensure their success.

What is Stormwater?

When it rains or snows, the water soaks into the ground, evaporates back into the atmosphere or runs off. This runoff, also known as stormwater, has some obvious impacts such as flooding and erosion. Some less obvious, but equally important, impacts of stormwater runoff include increased pollution, reduced ground water supplies, and lower stream flows during dry spells.

Traditionally, stormwater has been seen as a nuisance to be collected and dumped into the nearest ditch or stream and disposed of. Unfortunately, such an approach neglects the reality that most of us live or work downstream of someone else. As a result, our neighbor’s nuisance becomes our problem, which in turn becomes a problem for our downstream neighbors.

What Is Stormwater Management?

Management of stormwater is necessary to compensate for the possible impacts of development such as flooding, erosion and sedimentation problems, concentration on flow on adjacent properties, damages to roads, bridges and other infrastructure as well as non-point source pollution washed off from impervious surfaces.

The Township is required to obtain a permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) in order to operate a storm sewer system. The permit, called a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, requires the Township to take certain steps to ensure that stormwater in the Township is properly managed and controlled. It also requires that the Township educate the public about storm water impacts, as well as provide opportunities for public involvement and participation. To read more about the MS4 program, permits and impacts click on the links below:

Thornbury Township prepares and submits an annual report on our ongoing efforts to achieve the above-noted minimal control measures. To request a copy of the most recent annual report, please contact Thornbury Township via phone at 610.399.1425.

Stormwater Ordinance, Simplified Plans & Applications

Report Illicit Discharge!!

Citizens can help report violations or problems they notice in their local streams before they cause more damage and pollution. Residents sometimes may be the first to recognize “illicit” discharges being directed into storm sewers or flowing out of storm sewer outfall pipes into streams. “Dry weather flows” (flows from storm sewer outfall pipes after 72 hours or more without rain) should be reported to your municipality for further investigation.

Stormwater Tips

Auto Care: Washing your car at home on the driveway or street can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system. It is best to wash your car at a commercial car wash where the wastewater is treated and recycled. If you do wash your car at home, do so near a grassy area where the water can infiltrate into the ground. And never dump motor oil or antifreeze into the storm drain. Dispose of these at a local service station or approved recycling center.

Only Rain in the Drain: Never dump anything into a storm drain, including oil, paint, soap, debris, and leaves. Storm sewers don’t go to the sewer plant but discharge directly into streams. You might be pouring oil into your own drinking water!

Pick Up After Your Dog: Pet waste can be a major source of excess nutrients and bacteria to our streams. Always properly dispose of pet waste.

When Your Car’s Leaking Oil On The Street, Remember It’s Not Just Leaking Oil On The Street: Leaking oil goes from car to street, and is washed from the street into the storm drain and into our lakes, streams and into coastal waters. Now imagine the number of cars in the area and you can imagine the amount of oil that finds its way from leaky gaskets into our water. So please, fix oil leaks!

Residential Landscaping Tips

Downspouts: Direct all downspouts away from pervious surfaces and onto lawns. Rain barrels can be used to collect water from downspouts, making it available for watering.

Lawn Care: Fertilizers and pesticides should be used sparingly. When applied in excess, these chemicals are washed off by rainwater and enter the local storm sewer system. Do not sweep yard waste and leaves into the street. These add extra nutrients to streams.

Plant Native Trees and Shrubs: Erosion of streambanks can be prevented through the use of vegetated strips along the banks. Also known as riparian buffers, these strips of tall grasses, trees and flowers act to stabilize banks, which prevents erosion and additional sediment load in the stream. Click here for a “Native Plant List.”

Rain Gardens: A specially designed rain garden can be planted with native vegetation to that will provide an area for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Stormwater from rooftop drains and pavement areas can be directed to these vegetated areas. Click here for Rain Garden instructions.

Stormwater Educational Materials:

Below are stormwater educational pamphlets and materials prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):

Resources to Help Homeowners Better Manage Stormwater

Below is a list of links to some useful information to help you manage stormwater on your property.

Links for Construction Related Activities

Township Responsibilities

Thornbury Township’s Storm Sewer Permit & Reporting Responsibilities

State and Federal Stormwater Websites

Stormwater Is Everybody’s Business!

Want To Learn More?

Click here to check out “A Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management” and a brochure on “Caring for Your Streamside Property.”

Get Involved!

Attend a Stream Clean Event sponsored by the Chester Ridley Crum Watershed Association and or clean off the storm drains near your house! To learn more locally and get involved check out the following websites: