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Stormwater

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WHAT IS STORMWATER?

Stormwater is water that gathers from precipitation events including rain, snow, and sleet. When stormwater flows over surfaces like streets, rooftops, and lawns, it often picks up debris, chemicals, and other pollutants. This stormwater runoff is transported through the stormwater system and ultimately enters our local waterways untreated, affecting water quality.

WHY HAS THE IMPORTANCE AND COST OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT INCREASED?

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates stormwater under the Clean Water Act (CWA). EPA allows portions of the CWA to be administered under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program. As part of our MS4 permit, Lower Makefield Township is faced with new and unfunded mandates, resulting in the need to spend considerably more money than ever before to improve local water quality and address the requirements set forth by the PADEP.

HOW DO I AFFECT STORMWATER RUNOFF?

Stormwater management involves managing rainwater that is not absorbed by our lawns and gardens. Impervious surfaces on your property such as driveways, sheds, patios, and buildings impact the quantity of stormwater runoff that is managed by Lower Makefield Township. Additionally, household tasks such as applying fertilizer or washing your car can have an impact on our water quality if that runoff enters the MS4.

STORMWATER FAQS

MS4 PROGRAM

MS4 stands for “Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System”. This system includes basins, man-made channels, culverts, storm drains, and various other stormwater collection and conveyance facilities.

The MS4 program is federally mandated under the Clean Water Act and is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The Township is designated as a small MS4 community and therefore is required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II MS4 Permit through the PADEP.

The MS4 Permit is essential for managing water quality by regulating sources of pollution. It requires the Township to meet the requirements listed in the Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) and Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP). To ensure we are meeting our NPDES permit requirements, the Township must submit an Annual MS4 Status Report to the PADEP by September 30th each year summarizing the activities completed. Links to the current MS4 Permit, PRP, and most recent Annual MS4 Status Report are below.

MINIMUM CONTROL MEASURES (MCMS)

Lower Makefield Township is required to fulfill six MCMs as a part of the Township’s MS4 permit. Below is a brief explanation of each MCM. For additional information on each MCM and the associated requirements, please reference our MS4 Permit.

MCM 1 – Public Education and Outreach

Educating residents and local businesses on stormwater related issues is vital to the success of the MS4 Program. As a result, the Township has been tasked by the PADEP to provide the public with access to educational materials. Educational Materials are available at the educational materials section below.

MCM 2 – Public Participation and Involvement

In addition to education, it is important to provide the public with an opportunity to get involved with stormwater management activities and decision-making processes. This can occur in many ways, such as through volunteer events, public meetings, or receiving input on things like the Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) or Stormwater Management Ordinances.

MCM 3 – Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

It is important that we don’t harm our local creeks and streams by allowing pollutants to enter our stormwater system. A good rule to follow is “only rain down the drain”. If you see anyone dumping anything into the stormwater system, please call the Township at 267-274-1130 and notify us of the situation. In the event you are reporting an illicit discharge after hours, please contact the police non-emergency number at 215-493-4055.

MCM 4 – Construction Site Runoff Control

Similar to protecting our local waterways in MCM 3, it is important that excess sediment is not allowed to enter our stormwater system during earth disturbance and construction activities. To avoid this, Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) controls are
utilized during construction. If you see dirty water running off a construction site, please notify the Township at 267-274-1130 so we can work on correcting issues that may be present.

MCM 5 – Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) in New Development and Redevelopment

Both new development and redevelopment projects are required to install stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). These BMPs are designed to manage the volume and quality of stormwater discharged from the property, helping with issues such as flooding and water quality. Examples of BMPs include rain gardens, detention basins, wet ponds, and bioswales. The PADEP requires regular inspection of these BMPs to ensure they are functioning correctly.

MCM 6 – Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations and Maintenance

Municipal operations have the potential to negatively impact local waterbodies through things such as incorrect disposal of hazardous materials or improper material storage. This MCM ensures that municipal operations have the lowest possible impact on our waterways and the environment. Municipal Operation and Maintenance (O&M) plans are developed to ensure proper response to any unforeseen situations that may arise. Furthermore, the Township conducts regular inspections of its facilities throughout the permit cycle to ensure the Township is operating and maintaining its facilities properly.

WATER QUALITY

Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP)

As a part of the Township’s MS4 Permit, the Township is required to develop a PRP watersheds impaired by sediment and/or nutrients. The PRP estimates the amount of sediment the Township is discharging into local watersheds and then provides a plan to reduce the amount of sediment discharged by 10% through stormwater projects within the Township.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

  • You can make a difference and help us keep our local waters clean. As a visitor of this site, you've already taken the first step: getting informed. Step two: adopt a couple of clean water habits, such as:
  • Picking up after your pets and disposing of their waste properly.
  • Performing pool draining in a grassy area at a rate to not leave your property or enter the street.
  • Applying fertilizer and pesticides in the proper amounts. Aside from costing more, excess fertilizers run off your lawn and into streams, where they can deprive aquatic species of proper oxygen levels.
  • Washing vehicles at car washes or on surfaces where wash water can infiltrate into the ground.
  • Keeping grass clippings and yard waste out of the street until leaf collection.
  • Maintaining your vehicle properly, and most importantly, not dumping oil or any type of fluid down storm drains.
  • Disposing of trash properly, as litter washes away with stormwater and can be ingested by fish, birds, or other wildlife.

STORMWATER UTILITY FEE

STORMWATER UTILITY FEE OVERVIEW

Lower Makefield Township was mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) with completing a variety of projects in order to meet our Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) requirements for the purpose of improving water quality of local creeks, streams, and waterways. These projects will be implemented throughout the Township to manage stormwater and reduce pollutants before it is discharged to our local waterways. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, aging and deteriorating infrastructure is a major concern for the Township.

To meet this mandate and fund the repair and replacement of infrastructure a Stormwater Utility Fee was implemented in 2026, with the average residential property paying $8.50/month. The fee is based on the amount of impervious area (IA) on a property within the Township.

The fee will be assessed as follows:

Tier IA Range square feet (sq ft) Monthly Fee
Tier 0 <300 No Fee Assessed
Tier 1 300-4,999 $8.50
Tier 2 5,000+ Varies – Monthly Fee of $2.90/1,000 sf of IA (Rounded up to next 1,000)

BILLING INFORMATION

The Stormwater Utility Fee will be billed by Lower Makefield Township to all properties with over 300 sf of Impervious Area. A stormwater bill will be issued annually; however, you may elect to pay this bill quarterly. These bills will be mailed by the Township.

Pay Your Stormwater Utility Here

CREDIT AND APPEALS MANUAL

As part of the implementation of a Stormwater Utility Fee, Lower Makefield Township has created a Credit and Appeals Manual. If you believe that the impervious area you are being billed for is
incorrect, you may submit an appeal in accordance with the policies found in the manual. Additionally, if you have a stormwater BMP on your property that you believe meets the criteria in the manual, you can submit a credit application to reduce your bill amount. More information on this can be found in the Credit and Appeal Manual.

STORMWATER UTILITY PRESENTATIONS

ORDINANCES

STORMWATER PROJECTS

Lower Makefield Township established a Stormwater Utility Fee to fund stormwater management program costs, including necessary improvements created by unfunded mandates and short- and long-term maintenance needs.

POLLUTANT REDUCTION PLAN (PRP)

As part of the NPDES Permit requirements Lower Makefield Township will implement stormwater BMPs within the Township. These BMPs will assist in managing stormwater runoff and reducing the amount of sediment entering our local waterways.

Additional information can be found in the PRP linked below:

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)

The funds generated from the Stormwater Utility Fee will be dedicated to the stormwater program and will include repair and replacement of stormwater infrastructure and meeting the stormwater requirements mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).

PROJECT PROGRESS

As projects are started/completed add information about the projects, such as maps, photos, etc.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

Please see below for links to educational materials.

Links