Stormwater Management and Environmental Concerns

Stormwater management concerns the control of water (from rain, melting ice or snow) that runs off the surface of the land. The amount and rate of runoff is increased considerably as land is developed; construction of impervious surface (e.g. parking lots) hinders the infiltration of rainfall into the soil. Therefore stormwater management is imperative to offset the possible impacts of development – flooding and erosion problems, concentration of flow on neighboring properties, damages to infrastructure, and non-point source pollution (i.e. pollution that comes from the general drainage of the land such as runoff from parking lots and farmland).

Federal regulations enacted in December 1999 require Yardley Borough to improve on their existing stormwater management program. 

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater program requires that Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) address the six required elements contained in the federal regulations to reduce water pollution:

Public education and outreach 

Public participation and involvement 

Illicit discharge detection and elimination 

Construction site runoff control 

Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment 

Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance

Yardley Borough welcomes participation from Borough residents to meet the goal of reducing stormwater pollution.  The Yardley Borough EAC (Environmental Advisory Commission) Meetings as needed at Borough Hall, and the Borough encourages its residents to attend and become involved.

The Borough has also mapped its entire storm sewer system to assist in detecting and eliminating potential sources of pollution.

NPDES MS4 Map_2015-SHEET 1

NPDES MS4 Map_2015-SHEET 2

NPDES MS4 Map_2015-SHEET 3

NPDES MS4 Map_2015-SHEET 4

Preventing Stormwater Pollution

Stormwater runoff occurs when water from rain or snow and ice melting flows over the ground. Stormwater becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants as it flows or when it causes flooding and erosion of streambanks. Stormwater travels through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up storm sewer systems. It eventually flows directly to a lake, river, stream, wetland or coastal water. All of the pollutants stormwater carries along the way empty into our waters, too, because stormwater does not get treated!

Here are some of the most important ways for Borough residents to prevent stormwater pollution:

• Properly dispose of hazardous substances, such as used motor oil, cleaning supplies and paint – never pour them down any part of the storm sewer system, and report anyone who does.
  
  

• Use pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff of these items.
  
  

• Look for signs of soil and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals, leaving construction sites in stormwater runoff or tracked into roads by construction vehicles. Report poorly managed construction sites that could impact stormwater runoff to the Borough.
  
  

• Install innovative stormwater practices on residential properties, such as rain barrels or rain gardens, which capture stormwater and keep it on-site instead of letting it drain away into the storm sewer system.

• Report any discharge from stormwater outfalls during times of dry weather – a sign there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.
  
  

• Pick up after pets and dispose of their waste properly. No matter where pets make a mess – in a backyard or on open space – stormwater runoff can carry pet waste from the land to the storm sewer system to a stream.
  
  

• Store materials that could pollute water indoors and use containers for outdoor storage that do not rust or leak to eliminate exposure of materials to stormwater.

When you’re fertilizing the lawn, remember you’re not just fertilizing the lawn.

You fertilize the lawn. Then it rains. The rain washes the fertilizer along the curb, into the storm drain, and directly into our streams, ponds, lakes and the Delaware River, which eventually flows to the Atlantic Ocean. This causes algae to grow, which uses up oxygen that fish need to survive. So if you fertilize, please follow directions and use sparingly.

When your pet goes on the lawn, remember it doesn’t just go on the lawn.

When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that pet waste and bacteria into our storm drains. And then pollutes our waterways. So what to do? Simple. Dispose of it properly (preferably in the toilet). Then that little surprise gets treated like it should.

Water Quality Hotlines

Residents can help report violations or problems they notice in their neighborhood and local streams before they cause more damage and pollution. Residents sometimes may be the first to recognize "illicit" discharges dumping into storm sewers or coming out of from storm sewer outfalls. 

You can help by promptly reporting problems to: 

Yardley Borough

215-493-6832 
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Reporting Environmental Issues

Bucks County Conservation District

215-345-7577

Include full address and directions

Sediment leaving a construction site in stormwater

Off-site discharge of sediment, erosion, and other improper controls during construction

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Water Quality Hotlines

484-250-5900

Anytime, including evenings and weekends

Observed pollution event or pollutants in stream

Clogged or leaking sanitary sewer lines 

Illegal dumping activity into water courses

Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (72 hours after a rain storm)

Pennsylvania American Water Company

800-565-7292

Anytime, including evenings and weekends

Broken or leaking water mains

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

1-855-FISH-KIL (1-855-347-4545)

Fish Kills or pollutants in stream

Yardley Borough Sewer Authority

215-493-2045

Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 1 PM

Clogged or leaking sanitary sewer lines