Skip to content
How Do I...?
View all How do I...? questions and answers

Stormwater Management

Plan Update

Northampton Township Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP MS4 POLLUTANT REDUCTION PLAN AND TMDL PLAN:  The Northampton Township Board of Supervisors will accept comments from the public through August 16, 2017 associated with the Township’s Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as a component of the Township’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Individual Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s).  The Plan outlines in general terms the Township’s 5-year plan between 2018 and 2023 to reduce sediment and nutrient loadings from the MS4 stormwater discharges to Neshaminy Creek and Little Neshaminy Creek. The PRP and TMDL Plan will be available for public review Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the municipal offices of Northampton Township located at 55 Township Road, Richboro, PA 18954. The Plan is also available for public review on the Township’s website www.northamptontownship.com. Comments may be provided in writing and delivered in person or via e-mail or regular mail and addressed to Robert Pellegrino, Township Manager, Northampton Township.  

July 26,2017 Board of Supervisors Public Presentation

Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan for Neshaminy Creek and Little Neshaminy Creek in Northampton Township

Overview

Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snow flow over land and impervious surfaces and does not infiltrate into the ground. The runoff from streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil, grease and many other pollutants and discharge into our lakes, streams and rivers. This untreated discharge is detrimental to our water quality as it can adversely affect our drinking water supply and environment. Many detention/retention/infiltration basins are already in place to help keep our water clean.

The Township regulates its stormwater management through a permit that is obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) through the National Pollution and Discharge Elimination System Phase II (NPDES)/Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). This is a federal requirement from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that is administered by the state. This NPDES permit is broken up into six minimum control measures to be regulated and enforced by the Township. These minimum control measures include:

  • Public Education and Outreach
  • Public Participation/Involvement
  • Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination
  • Construction Site Runoff Control
  • Post-Construction Runoff Control
  • Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

The Township is monitoring and testing storm sewer outfalls that have flow during dry periods. We request that all residents cooperate with our inspectors, as some outfalls are located on private properties.

Federal regulations define an illicit discharge as “...any discharge to an MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater...” with some exceptions. These exceptions include discharges from NPDES-permitted industrial sources and discharges from fire-fighting activities. Illicit discharges are considered “illicit” because MS4s are not designed to accept, process, or discharge such non-stormwater wastes. For any questions or concerns regarding stormwater or to report illicit discharges to the storm sewer system, contact the Township at (215) 357-6800 during or after business hours.

More Information

There are many ways you can help the Township with its stormwater program, such as participating in volunteer programs that help keep trash, debris and other pollutants out of the storm sewer system. For more information on ways to get involved with your community, visit:

PennDOT: Adopt-A-Highway
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdHwyBeau.nsf/AAHHome?OpenFrameset

USEPA
http://www.epa.gov/

Stormwater Basic Information
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program  

Stormwater Program
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=6

Stormwater Discharge from MS4's 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources#overview

Stormwater Outreach Materials and Reference Documents
https://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/docs.cfm?document_type_id=3&view=Fact%2520Sheets%2520and%2520Outreach%2520Materials&program_id=6&sort=name

PA DEP 
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/dep_home/5968

PA DEP Southeast Region Office
http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/SoutheastRegion/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWfKFsrKUk

Stormwater Management Program
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWiP1srKUl

BCCD Bucks County Conservation District 
http://www.bucksccd.org/

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency 
http://www.fema.gov/

CWP Center for Watershed Protection 
http://www.cwp.org/

Department of Environmental Protection

PADEP – MS4 Resources: 
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Stormwater/Pages/MS4-Resources.aspx#.VtWaHFsrKUk

PADEP - MS4 Stormwater Activity Book for Children
http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/BPNPSM/StormwaterManagement/MunicipalStormwater/MuniSWResources/MS4_Partners_Stormwater_Activity_Book_2015-rv2.pdf

DEP Southeast Regional Office: 
http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/SoutheastRegion/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWfKFsrKUk

PA DEP Stormwater Management Program: 
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWiP1srKUl

DEP – E&S for Single Family Homes and Minor Construction Projects: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107599/3150-FS-DEP4096.pdf

DEP – Snow Management and Removal: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109526/3800-FS-DEP1634.pdf

DEP – Swimming Pool Discharge Guidelines: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108937/3850-FS-DEP4251.pdf

DEP – Stream Improvement Program:
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108190/3130-FS-DEP2179.pdf

DEP – Minimizing Accelerated Soil Erosion & Preventing Sediment Pollution: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107595/3150-FS-DEP1841.pdf

DEP – Reporting Requirements for Spills and Pollution Incidents under PA Clean Streams Law: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-101220/3800-FS-DEP4449.pdf

DEP – Water Quality Standards: 
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/WaterQuality/Pages/default.aspx#.VtW6sy0o6Uk

United States Environmental Protection Agency

EPA – Stormwater Fact Sheets and Outreach Materials: 
https://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/docs.cfm?document_type_id=3&view=Fact%2520Sheets%2520and%2520Outreach%2520Materials&program_id=6&sort=name

EPA - Stormwater Basic Information: 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program 

EPA - Stormwater Discharges from MS4’s: 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources#overview

EPA - MS4 Overview: 
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-0.pdf

EPA - MS4 Fact Sheet: 
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-1.pdf

EPA –Urbanized Area Definition: 
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-2.pdf

EPA – Public Education and Outreach: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-3.pdf

EPA – Public Participation and Involvement: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-4.pdf

EPA – Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-5.pdf

EPA -  Construction Site Runoff Control: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-6.pdf

EPA – Post-Construction Runoff Control: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-7.pdf

EPA – Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-8.pdf

EPA – National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/national-menu-best-management-practices-bmps-stormwater#edu

EPA – Stormwater Permit Coverage for Construction Sites: 
https://www3.epa.gov/region10/pdf/water/stormwater_permit_brochure_print.pdf

EPA – After the Storm:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/after_the_storm.pdf

EPA – Stormwater Management Practices: 
http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management-practices-epa-facilities

EPA – Stormwater Management: 
http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management

EPA – Green Infrastructure: 
http://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure

EPA Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Menu: 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/national-menu-best-management-practices-bmps-stormwater-documents

EPA – Evaluating the Effectiveness of Municipal Stormwater Programs: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/region3_factsheet_swmp.pdf

EPA – Water Pollution Prevention and Control: 
http://www.epa.gov/p2/learn-about-pollution-prevention

Miscellaneous

Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy: 
http://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/

DEP – Raingardens and Rain Barrels: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109593/3850-PA-DEP4500.pdf

Rain Barrel Resources: 
http://www.rainbarrelresource.com/

PADOT Adopt-a Highway: 
http://www.penndot.gov/about-us/AdoptaHighway/Pages/default.aspx#.VtSv9lsrKUk

Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater: 
http://www.stormwaterguide.org/static/HomeownersGuide.pdf

Green Guide for Property Management: 
http://schuylkillwaters.org/doc_files/Green%20Guide%20for%20Property%20Management.pdf

Center for Watershed Protection Municipal Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping Practices (Manual 9):
http://www.in.gov/indot/files/Municipal_Pollution_Prevention_and_Good_Housekeeping.pdf  

Documents