MS4 and Stormwater Management
The Borough holds an NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), as issued by the Pennsylvania Department (PADEP). The permit requires the Borough to implement a Stormwater Management Program designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from its MS4 (storm sewer system), aimed at protecting and improving stormwater quality and preserving the nature of our streams and lakes. All of these streams and lakes are located within an overall watershed. Castle Shannon Borough is part of the overall Ohio River Watershed, but is also made up of smaller watersheds. These watersheds include Sawmill Run, which is classified as impaired by PADEP for siltation. This impairment is a result of urban stormwater runoff.
What is Stormwater Runoff?
Stormwater runoff is generated from rainfall and snow melt events. Stormwater runoff is the water the does not permeate into the ground and travels overland to our streams. Stormwater runoff is often collected and conveyed to a stream by storm inlets or drains, storm sewers and swales in developed areas.
How Does Stormwater Pollution Occur?
Stormwater pollution occurs in many ways, both indirectly and directly. Commonly, runoff gathers pollutants from surfaces as it travels overland toward storm drains or drainage courses. Pollutants captured can include sediment, debris and litter, especially from impervious surfaces such as roadways, sidewalks or parking lots. Grease or oil droppings are also captured in these types of areas. Overuse of pesticides or fertilizers, and failure to pick up and dispose of pet waste and yard waste can introduce chemicals and nutrients into the stream. Pollution also occurs through illegal illicit discharge events involving dumping of substances to a storm drain, drainage course or stream. Stormwater is the only discharge permitted to the storm sewer system. No other substance should ever be disposed of in a storm drain or stream.
Isn’t Stormwater Captured by the Storm Sewer System Treated before it is Discharged to a Stream?
No, as Castle Shannon Borough is separated sewer system, the storm sewer infrastructure that collects and conveys stormwater runoff is an entirely separate system than that which conveys sewage. Wastewater from the plumbing fixtures in homes, businesses and other buildings is conveyed to a sewage treatment plant through a sanitary sewer system and is treated prior to discharge to a waterway. It is important to recognize that stormwater collected by storm drains, inlets or roof drains do not enter the same sanitary sewer system and are not treated at the sewage treatment plant. These storm sewer systems are discharged directly to streams within the Borough watersheds.
Why is Stormwater Quality Important?
The benefits of clean water impact everyday life for all of us. Stormwater quality impacts our sources of drinking water. Discharge of polluted stormwater can impact the feasibility and cost of treatment of water prior to use as drinking water. Stormwater pollution also has a significant impact on wildlife in our streams. Discharge of chemicals, oils, detergents and similar create unsuitable environments for fish and other wildlife impacting the ecological habits. Sediment also acts a significant disturbance, and can act to kill small organisms and damage gills of fish. Nutrients, from fertilizers, among other sources, enhance growth of algae which diminishes the availability of dissolved oxygen of wildlife in the stream. All of these result in a loss of fish population. Recreational use of our streams, rivers and lakes is also hindered by stormwater pollution. Introduction of pollutants can diminish or prevent boating, fishing and swimming activities when waters are contaminated.
How to Address Stormwater Runoff Pollution?
The Borough is required to reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients being discharged to streams as part of the NPDES Permit the Borough has been issued. In order to achieve this goal, the Borough is required to implement the approved Pollutant Reduction Plan/Total Maximum Daily Load plan.
Part of this plan is installing new stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). These BMPs may include new stormwater detention facilities, underground storage tanks, and/or stream restoration. The intent of these BMPs is to control the rate that water is discharged back into the stream and / or reducing the potential for erosion of the stream channels.
Castle Shannon’s efforts primarily focus on Saw Mill Run Stream restoration projects in the current and future permit cycles.
How can Residents Impact Stormwater Quality?
Residents can help improve the water quality of the watersheds in the Borough through simple, everyday tasks. These include never dumping anything into a stream or storm drain. Clean up after your pet; this prevents bacteria from pet waste from polluting stormwater runoff. Sweep your sidewalks and driveway rather than washing them down; washing down a driveway introduces sediment, chemicals and debris to the storm sewer system and streams. Take your car to the car wash. Detergents, chemicals, oils and debris from washing shouldn’t be discharged to the storm sewer system. Runoff from car washes is often recycled and then collected into the sanitary sewer system and conveyed to a treatment plant prior to entering a stream.
MS4 Permit Activities – Resident Roles
The Borough holds an NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), as issued by the Pennsylvania Department (PADEP). The primary goal of the permit is to implement a Stormwater Management Program designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from its MS4 (storm sewer system), aimed at protecting and improving water quality in our streams and lakes. Stormwater pollution comes in many forms, including discharge of materials such as chemicals, oil, gasoline, or sewage. Sediment, siltation and debris are also pollutants to be prevented from entering the storm sewer system.
It is important to recognize that water runoff collected by the inlets and storm drains located along roadways, in parking lots and elsewhere throughout the community does not get conveyed to a sewage treatment plant to be treated as happens with the wastewater piped from homes and businesses. Stormwater runoff collected by the MS4 is discharged directly to surface waters (streams and lakes). Because of this, only stormwater may be allowed to enter the storm sewer system.
Introduction of pollutants to the storm sewer system, and ultimately our surface waters diminish sources of clean drinking water and greatly impacts the livability and sustainability of water for fish and other wildlife and other beneficial aquatic habitat.
Residents that implement good pollution prevention practices can create a significant impact on water quality by limiting discharge of pollutants, especially during outdoor activities through the summer months. Some examples of pollution prevention practices are as follows:
Washing Cars
When washing vehicles, consider the destination of runoff of wash water. Wash water contains a variety of harmful contaminants, including soaps and cleaning agents, along with the dirt, debris, oils and greases removed from the vehicle. Washing should be done such that wash water does not reach the storm sewers or streams. Using commercial car washes is the best solution, as wash water is it treated and recycled. If washing at home, wash on a gravel or grass area where wash water can permeate or infiltrate into the ground.
Lawn Care
When working on your yard, consider the final destination of yard waste. Compost or mulch yard waste when possible. Never sweep or deposit grass clippings into the street, storm drains or along stream. Yard waste contributes nutrients to surface waters that degrade the environment for wildlife. When fertilizing, be careful to avoid over application and never fertilize before it rains. Runoff will carry chemicals and nutrients from the fertilizer to the MS4 and streams.
Pet Waste
Cleaning up after you pet at home and when walking through the neighborhood or parks is key to helping water quality. When waste is left on the ground, stormwater runoff carries bacteria, pathogens and nutrients to our streams, again impacting the quality of our drinking water sources. Ideally, pet waste should be flushed or disposed of in the garbage. Waste may never be deposited into a storm drain.
Swimming Pools
Chlorinated water from swimming pools cannot be discharged to the MS4 or to a stream. PADEP recommends two options for emptying swimming pools. First, discharge to the sanitary sewer is acceptable, if permitted by the Sewage Authority. Alternatively, discharge should be completed such that it may permeate into the ground, rather than flowing overland to a stream or the MS4.
How Can You Be Stormwater Smart?
- Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and gutters
- Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams
- Vegetate bare spots in your yard
- Compost your yard waste
- Use least toxic pesticides, follow labels, and learn how to prevent pest problems
- Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden to capture runoff
- Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway
- Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil
- Pick up after your pet
- Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly