• StormwaterPA MS4
• Stormwater Menu of Best Management Practices
• EPA Stormwater Outreach Materials and Reference Documents
• EPA Nonpoint Source Toolbox
• EPA NPDES Permit Program Basics
• EPA MS4 Fact Sheets
• EPA Stormwater Program Overview
• EPA Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Sources
• EPA Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts
• Chester - Ridley - Crum Watersheds Association
• Delaware County Conservation District
• Temple-Villanova Sustainable Stormwater Initiative
• Center for Watershed Protection

These informational ads address different practices we all do on a daily basis, and give quick and easy ways to do them in a more water-friendly way.

• "When You're Washing Your Car In the Driveway. . ." What Can You Do?
• "When You're Fertilizing the Lawn. . ." What Can You Do?
• "When Your Car's Leaking Oil on the Street. . ." What Can You Do?
• "When Your Pet Goes on the Lawn . . ." What Can You Do?
• Keep Car Washing From Harming Our Streams Ad
• Raise Mower Height for Healthier Lawns, Cleaner Water Ad

In March 2003, Marcus Hook Borough began a comprehensive storm water management program mandated by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and monitored by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The program is designed to literally “manage” stormwater, both by protecting water quality and by preventing high volumes of runoff from causing flooding in developed areas. The new regulations require compliance by more then 8,000 municipal governments across the United States and more than 700 communities in Pennsylvania.

Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating “point sources” that release pollutants into waters of the United States.

Point sources can be pipes or man-made ditches that carry stormwater from the street level to the nearest stream.

Because Marcus Hook Borough owns the stormwater conveyance system (point sources) within the Borough boundaries, the responsibility lies with the Borough to ensure that any water pollution entering the system is minimized to the fullest extent possible. This effort to protect water quality is two-pronged: through education of residents, businesses, developers, and its own staff, and through the use of technical implements to reduce the discharge of pollutants into streams. For instance, a large component of the program is the requirement that the Borough screen its stormwater outfalls for potential conditions of pollution and take corrective action in the event a pollutant source is found.

Another major component of the program requires an effort by the Borough to increase citizen participation and awareness. It is important for Marcus Hook residents and businesses to be aware that increased stormwater runoff and pollution can occur from many different sources, and can cause a number of different problems.

Concentrated development in urbanized areas substantially increases impervious surfaces, such as streets, driveways and parking lots. These surfaces are the primary collector of pollutants until a rain washes them into nearby storm drains. Common pollutants include pesticides, fertilizers, oils, salt, litter, and sediment. Storm drains do not run to treatment plants. They empty directly into waterways. When left uncontrolled, these discharges can result in fish kills, destruction of wildlife habitats, and contamination of drinking water and recreational waterways. Sediment from yard debris and construction sites can cause stream bank erosion, vegetation destruction, and flooding. It is therefore extremely important to recognize that individual actions can multiply the effect on water quality.

Stormwater is unavoidable, but its effects can be reduced by keeping harmful chemicals and materials out of the runoff. This section reviews potential sources of contamination and offers ways to minimize them. Then fill out the assessment table to help identify stormwater risks on your property.

Reducing Pollutants in Runoff

Are any car or truck wastes being carried away by stormwater?
Oil stains on your driveway and outdoor spills of antifreeze, brake fluid, and other automotive fluids are easily carried away by a rainstorm. Routine maintenance can prevent your car from leaking and help identify potential leaks. Pans, carpet scraps and matting can also catch drips. Never dump used oil, antifreeze, or gasoline down a storm drain, in a ditch, or on the ground. These wastes will end up in a nearby lake or stream, or they may pollute your drinking water.

Are household products stored outside the reach of stormwater?
Most households store lawn and garden products like weed killers, insect killers, and fertilizers. If stormwater or floodwater reaches these products, it can transport them into surface water and possibly you well. Pool chemicals, salt for water softeners, and a wide variety of other chemical products can also cause trouble if they are washed away. Keeping such products in waterproof containers and storing them up high and out of the potential path of runoff or floods is important.

Do you use and handle chemicals safely?
When mixing chemicals, try to do so within a washtub so spills will be contained. If you spill chemicals, act quickly to contain and clean up the spill. Using more pesticides or fertilizers than you need only invites problems. Timing of applications is important. Do not apply pesticides if rain is expected within twenty-four hours.

How are animal wastes kept from becoming a pollution problem?
The risk of stormwater contamination increases if pet wastes are allowed to accumulate in animal pen areas or left on sidewalks, streets, or driveways where runoff can carry them to storm sewers. Droppings may either be buried or wrapped and put in the garbage for disposal.

Are yard and garden wastes kept out of stormwater?
If left on sidewalks, driveways or roads, grass clippings and other yard wastes will wash away, clogging storm sewers. Sweep clippings back onto the grass, and compost leaves and garden wastes on your property to recycle nutrients. (See the Composting Guidelines in the Recycling page on the website.)

Assessment 1 – Reducing pollutants in runoff
Use the table located in the link below to rate your stormwater pollution risks. Your goal is to lower your risks. Use the action checklist to record medium and high-risk practices and use these recommendations to make plans to reduce your risks.

• Assessment - Reducing Pollutants in Runoff
• Action Checklist
• Car Washes and Your Stream: Can you Be Both Clean and Green?

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 outfall pipes after a 72 hour or greater period without rain that appears to be polluted or contaminated - should be reported to Marcus Hook Borough during regular business hours, or to DEP during off hours, for further investigation. Click on the heading for a list of different organizations' phone numbers to call to report a water quality issue depending on the situation you encounter. You may also complete the Stormwater Complaint Form by clicking on this heading.

New stormwater regulations from Pennsylvania’s DEP require that Marcus Hook Borough investigate more thoroughly potential illicit discharges (pollutants) into our streams. You can help by promptly reporting the events to the authorities listed in the "Hotlines" box below.

Stormwater Complaint Form

Some stormwater risks can be controlled by making changes to buildings, paved surfaces, the landscape, and soil surfaces.

Are there areas of bare soil around your home?
Areas of bare soil often exist in vegetable and flower gardens, on newly seeded lawns, and around construction projects. Planting grass or other ground covers is the best way to stop erosion. Putting a straw or chip mulch over gardens or newly seeded areas will slow erosion.

Can you eliminate paved surfaces or install alternatives?
When you have the choice, consider alternative materials such as gravel or wood chips for walkways rather than impervious materials like concrete or blacktop. Where you need a more solid surface, consider using a “porous pavement” made from interlocking cement blocks or rubber mats.

Is your basement protected from stormwater seepage or flooding?
Basement windows or doors are common stormwater entry points and should be sealed against leaks. If windows are at or below ground level, they can be protected with clear plastic covers available in building supply stores. Window wells that extend above ground level can help divert stormwater. Your yard should be sloped away from the foundation to prevent water from pooling near the house and leaking into the basement.

Can you change the layout of your landscape to reduce runoff?
An essential part of stormwater management is keeping water from leaving your property or at least slowing its flow as much as possible. You could provide low areas landscaped with shrubs and flowers to encourage water to soak into the ground. If your yard is hilly, you can terrace slopes to slow the flow of runoff and make mowing and gardening easier. If your property adjoins a lake or stream, one of the best ways to slow and filter runoff is to leave a buffer strip of thick vegetation along the waterfront.

Assessment 2 – Landscaping and site management to control runoff
For each question in the assessment table located in the link below, indicate your risk level. Your goal is to lower your risks. In the action checklist, record your medium and high risk practices and use the recommendations to help reduce your risks.

• Stormwater Resident Monthly Planner - Tips on Yard Care Practices to Improve Stormwater Runoff
• Assessment 2 - Landscaping and site management to control runoff
• Action Checklist
• Trees Pay us Back - Article from Urban Forestry Magazine
• Can Meadows Be Greener Than Grass?
• Green Guide to Clean Water for Residents
• Rain Gardens - A Beautiful Contribution for Cleaner Water

During the first five years of the stormwater program, Marcus Hook Borough contacted all of its restaurant businesses to let them know about the NPDES program and ways in which they could support it.

Also the Borough auto body shops and other facilities that conduct their own vehicle maintenance were informed about the program and how they could prevent stormwater runoff pollution.

Click on the heading to view the detailed brochures that each of the restaurants and vehicle maintenance facilities received and reviewed.

• Restaurants & Food Service Establishments - Good Housekeeping Practices
• Auto Maintenance, Repair, and Fueling Operations - Good Housekeeping Practices

If you are planning a construction project which will require stormwater control, please click the link below to be directed to the Erosion and Sedimentation Control and Storm Water Management section. There you will find the necessary permit applications and design standards.

• Stormwater Drainage Application
• Stormwater Management Ordinance
• "Don't Let Storm Water Run Off with your Time and Money!"
• Stormwater & the Construction Industry Maintain your Best Management Practices!