Stormwater and MS4

Stormwater is the precipitation that falls on roofs, lawns and paved areas and is carried away by a system of stormwater pipes, culverts and ditches.  Collectively, the draining water is called storm water runoff.

Uncontrolled stormwater runoff is the leading cause of impairment to our local waterways and the number one cause of water pollution throughout the United States.  Stormwater runoff can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt (yes, excess dirt in our waterways is a pollutant), pet waste and other pollutants which then flow into a storm sewer system or directly into a stream completely untreated.

Everyone can do their part using these Everyday Tips to Reduce Stormwater Pollution.

Stormwater Management Plans

Stormwater is an important water resource that provides groundwater recharge for water supplies and the baseflow of streams.

The Township is required by both Federal and State regulations to reduce the adverse impacts from stormwater runoff by ensuring that construction projects large and small are designed, constructed and maintained in a manner that minimizes impacts of new development, redevelopment, and other earth disturbance activities that may cause accelerated runoff and erosion.  Whenever your project results in earth disturbance, an increase in impervious surface and / or a change in stormwater runoff, you may be required to prepare a Stormwater Management Plan.

The Township Engineer will determine what type of plan, if any, is required for your project. For smaller projects, submit your building or other permit and then the Engineer will inform you if the project requires a Stormwater Plan.  Large projects will require a full plan while a small or agricultural project may require a simplified plan or none at all.

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

Honey Brook Township is required to develop and implement a stormwater management program and obtain various permits approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants to meet runoff requirements established by the Federal Clean Water Act.  MS4 is one of these programs and like other State or Federal mandates, the Township receives no funding to help with the added expense for planning and implementation of the program.

The MS4 program regulates discharges from the Township’s system of stormwater conveyances including storm drains, pipes, ditches, and outfalls that drain into our streams, ponds and lakes. The program incorporates the six minimum control measures listed below, designed to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff.

1. Public Education and Outreach: Distribute educational materials and performing outreach to inform citizens about the impacts polluted storm water runoff discharges can have on water quality.
   – Stormwater survey
   – Click here for the Stormwater Ordinance
2. Public Participation and Involvement: Provide opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation, including effectively publicizing public hearings and/or encouraging citizen representatives on a storm water management panel.  Here are just a few ways to get involved:
   – Household Hazardous Waste Collection
   – Brandywine Conservancy (stream cleanups & more)
   – Christina Watersheds Municipal Partnership
   – Name the Brook initiative by the Honey Brook Community Partnership
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination:  Develop and implement a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm sewer system. Illicit Discharges are defined by federal regulations as any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.  There are exceptions to this rule such as firefighting activities, landscape irrigation, foundation drains, water from crawl space pumps etc.  Sources of illicit discharges include:
   1. Sanitary wastewater – call the Northwestern Chester County Municipal Authority (610) 273-2265.
   2. Failing septic systems – call the Chester County Health Department (610) 344-6688 or (610) 344-6526.
   3. Car wash waste water – call Honey Brook Township (610) 273-3970 or PA DEP (484) 250-5900.
   4. Improper oil disposal – call Honey Brook Township (610) 273-3970 or PA DEP (484) 250-5900.
   5. Radiator flushing disposal call Honey Brook Township (610) 273-3970 or the PA DEP (484) 250-5900.
   6. Spills from roadway accidents – call Honey Brook Township (610) 273-3970 or PA DEP (484) 250-5900.
   7. Erosion or discharge of sediment in stormwater during site construction – call Honey Brook Township (610) 273-3970 or the Chester County Conservation District (610) 696-5126.
   8. Improper disposal of household toxics or improper use of pesticides and herbicides, etc. – call Honey Brook Township (610) 273-3970 or PA DEP (484) 250-5900.

These illicit discharges drain directly to the streams and may be loaded with a large amount of harmful and toxic substances.  These pollutants enter the aquatic system and degrade the water quality and threaten wildlife and human health.

4. Construction Site Runoff Control: Develop, implement and enforce an erosion and sediment control program for construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land (controls could include silt fences and temporary storm water detention ponds).
5. Post-Construction Runoff Control:  Developing, implementing, and enforcing a program to address discharges of post-construction storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment areas.
6. Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping: Developing and implementing a program with the goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations.

Public Education Resources

• Why Should I Care About Stormwater?
• Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff
• After the Storm – A Citizen’s Guide
• A Roadside Guide to Clean Water

This page was last updated September 30, 2021.