Storm Sewer Pamphlet 

Reporting Illegal Discharge or Dumping

If you observe suspicious discharge, dumping of materials into any storm water system, severe erosion or mud being tracked on the roads, please contact Mike Elias, Utility & MS4 Program Coordinator, at (610) 398-0407 and we will investigate the report.

The Storm Sewer System

The protection of life, land, and property from damage by excess water, whether in motion or standing, is the purpose of various flood control and drainage measures. Flooding occurs from storms that produce runoff exceeding the capacity of the normal stream channels. Long, heavy, widespread storms, or rapid melting of snow from a large area cause floods on main stem streams and rivers. As urban density increases, so do the problems of flooding from storm water runoff.

South Whitehall Township, through the wide expanse of storm sewer inlets and underground pipes, has managed to control storm water runoff and keep damage to a minimum within the township. The storm sewer system is comprised of over 900 inlets that drain into underground pipes, which lead into 22 detention basins located through out the township. The purpose of these detention facilities is to store the storm water runoff and then let it runoff at a controlled rate so as not to adversely affect downstream property. The most recent structure built in the township system is a regional storm water detention facility consisting of three interconnected impoundment areas and is located on the eastern side of the Route 22/Cedar Crest Boulevard interchange. This facility has a storage capacity of approximately 34 acre-feet. One of the most important aspects of a storm water system is the fact that it will drain into the ground or a stream, which then becomes a source for our drinking water supply. For this reason the state of Pennsylvania has established strict guidelines which need to be followed when dealing with or working around storm sewers.

The Pennsylvania legislature enacted the Storm Water Management Act (No. 167) in 1978 to authorize a program of comprehensive watershed storm water management, which retains local implementation, and enforcement of storm water ordinances similar to local responsibility of administration of subdivision and land development regulations. This planning effort results in the incorporation of sound engineering standards and criteria into local codes and ordinances to manage runoff from new development in a coordinated, watershed-wide approach.

Best Management Practices

Realizing that storm water run-off has a direct effect on our drinking water and environment, the federal government in the mid 1990’s began to formulate ways in which to deal with this issue. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted storm water rules governing storm sewer systems for small municipalities and also rules for construction sites. The new rules require municipalities to reduce contaminant levels and storm water runoff to the maximum extent possible.

In 2000, the federal government notified South Whitehall Township that it must institute what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calls “best management practices” for handling storm water runoff.

Some of the ways in which South Whitehall Township has been meeting this requirement is through the following programs:

•     Storm Sewer Inlet Inspection & Repair

•     Detention Basin Maintenance & Inspection

•     Street Sweeping / Leaf Removal

•     Storm Water Inlet / Catch Basin Cleaning

One of the provisions of the federal order is the requirement that municipalities add an education component to their storm water management plans. In the summer of 2001, South Whitehall Township marked over 600 storm water inlets with a round decal depicting a fish in water and displaying a warning that reads “No Dumping – Drains to River”.

Some people think it is OK to dump motor oil, antifreeze and other chemical wastes into storm sewers and may not realize that at the other end of those storm grates is the Lehigh River or one of its tributaries. Like most municipal storm water systems, the Township’s runoff flows directly into freshwater streams and does not pass through any waste treatment or water filtration plants. As a permanent reminder to people, the Township in all future inlet installations will have a cast plaque of a fish affixed to all concrete inlet tops. In addition, all storm sewer manhole lids in the future will be of the type shown below.

Water Is One Of Our Most Precious Natural Resources

Keeping water clean benefits people, animals, and aquatic life. Storm drains carry rainwater and pollutants directly to streams and rivers. The pollutants lower the water quality, affect fish health, and reduce the number of beneficial plants and insects.

Someone Downstream May End Up Drinking this Water!

10 Simple Things You Can Do:

•     Use a mulch mower or compost grass clippings.
•     Recycle used motor oil and antifreeze.
•     Apply fertilizer and lawn chemicals according to recommended rates and schedules.
•     Place cigarette butts and other garbage in trash cans.
•     Collect and properly dispose of pet wastes.
•     Wash cars on grassy areas and keep soap suds away from drain inlets.
•     Be careful with de-icing materials during the winter months.
•     Find out where the water from your storm drain inlets in your community.
•     Encourage municipal officials to label all storm drain inlets in your community.
•     Contact a local watershed organization for more ideas on ways to protect the streams in your area.

Learn More About The MS4 Program

 An MS4 is a conveyance or system of conveyances that is:

•     owned by a state, city, town, village, or other public entity that discharges to waters of the U.S.,
•     designed or used to collect or convey stormwater (e.g., storm drains, pipes, ditches),
•     not a combined sewer, and
•     not part of a sewage treatment plant, or publicly owned treatment works (POTW).

To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into MS4s, certain operators are required to obtain NPDES permits and develop storm water management programs (SWMPs). The SWMP describes the storm water control practices that will be implemented consistent with permit requirements to minimize the discharge of pollutants from the sewer system.

Please help us carry out our goal of education by passing this message on to your family, friends, neighbors or anyone who you may see contributing to downstream pollution.

Additional Resources:

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Municipal Storm Water Website

US Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Discharges from Municipal Sources Website

Lehigh County Conservation District MS4 Website