STORMWATER AND THE MS4 PROGRAM
STORMWATER AND THE MS4 PROGRAM
Stormwater Fee The Borough ’ s stormwater fee provides dedicated funds to enable the Borough to meet the requirements of the federal and state regulations for stormwater management . This fee enables the Borough to properly maintain , and upgrade stormwater infrastructure as needed . Properly maintained infrastructure helps to reduce localized flooding ; it decreases sediment and pollutants , which contribute to the overall quality of our streams . The Borough initially implemented the stormwater fee in 2015 to help fund the growing need for system management , maintenance and expansion of our infrastructure . As a result of today ’ s economy and the increased operating costs to maintain all infrastructures , the Borough recently increased the stormwater fee for the first time in 2023 . lum Boro
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The stormwater requirements of the federal Clean Water Act are administered under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ’ s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System ( MS4 ) program . In December 2002 , the DEP mandated the use by MS4 for all urbanized units of local government . A separate storm sewer system is a collection of structures , including retention basins , ditches , roadside inlets , and underground pipes , designed to gather untreated stormwater from built-up areas and discharge it into local streams and rivers . It ’ s called a separate system because it ’ s not connected to the sanitary sewer system which drains wastewater from inside a home to sewage treatment facility or private on lot sewer system .
The MS4 program requires the Borough to inspect , maintain , and update all stormwater infrastructures . This includes the inspection of retention ponds , inlets and pipes on all Borough roads and state-maintained roads , and enforcement of illegal and illicit discharges of harmful pollutants into our streams . Under the mandated MS4 Program , the Borough is required to implement the best management practices and minimum control measures for stormwater run-off and pollution prevention . Stormwater runoff carries pollutants such as oil , dirt , chemicals , and lawn fertilizers directly to streams and rivers , where they affect water quality and harm wildlife population . The Borough is required to report all inspections to the state every 5 years to remain in compliance .
Credit : https :// www . stormwaterpa . org / ms4-program . html https :// extension . psu . edu / what-is-an-ms4
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What can we do to help prevent stormwater runoff pollution ?
Effective stormwater management provides environmental , social , and economical benefits to our community . As a result of an effective stormwater management program , streams , rivers , and lakes are cleaner ; flood risks are reduced ; and costs due to flood damage decrease . We can contribute to this cause by performing the following simple tasks :
• Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways , sidewalks , and roads
• Never dump anything down storm drains
• Avoid using pesticides
• Compost your yard waste
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces
• Check your vehicle for leaks and recycle motor oil
• Pick up after your pet
• Have septic tanks pumped and systems inspected regularly