Providence Township is taking action to reduce stormwater pollution!
What is stormwater pollution?
As rain and snowmelt flow across the hard surfaces in our community, it can pick up a variety of polluting substances including heavy metals, grass clippings, bacteria, fertilizers,and trash. Much of this storm water runoff drains into road inlets and pipes, and is then discharged directly into our local streams: the Big Beaver Creek and Pequea Creek. These pollutants are harmful to the fish and wildlife that depend on clean water to thrive. They are also harmful to us! To reduce stormwater pollution, and improve local water quality, Providence Township must develop, implement, and enforce a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). This task is required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit which regulates stormwater discharges from the townships municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4): a series of inlets, pipes, catch basins, and swales that collect, convey, and discharge stormwater directly into our streams. The permit only regulates the MS4 located in the designated urbanized areas of the township which are based on US Census data.
What is considered an illicit discharge?
What Is An “Illicit Discharge”?
Federal regulations define an illicit discharge as “…any discharge to an MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater…” with some exceptions. These exceptions include discharges from NPDES-permitted industrial sources and discharges from fire-fighting activities. Illicit discharges (see below) are considered “illicit” because MS4s are not designed to accept, process, or discharge such non-stormwater wastes.
Sources of Illicit Discharges include Sanitary wastewater, Effluent from septic tanks, Car wash wastewaters, Improper oil disposal, Radiator flushing disposal and Laundry wastewaters
REPORT ANY ILLICIT DISCHARGES TO THE TOWNSHIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! CALL THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE AT 717-786-7596
FORMS
ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION INFORMATION
- Illicit Discharge Detection
- Solutions to Storm Water
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Homeowners Guide to Stormwater BMP Maintenance
- Map – MS4 area
- Watershed Map
RESOURCEFUL LINKS
MS4 ANNUAL REPORTING
- 2017 Waiver Application: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Sotrmwater Discharges from Small MS4
- 2017 Notice of Intent: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from small MS4
- 2017 MS4 Annual-Progress-Report
- 2016 MS4 Annual-Progress Report
- 2016 Appendices for MS4 Annual Report
- 2016 Letter of Transmittal with Annual Report