Stormwater Ordinance Status: Franconia Township adopted a new stormwater ordinance on May 17, 2005. Any illicit discharge as defined in the newly adopted ordiance is a violation of the code and those who dump will be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine.
What is storm water?
When it rains or snows, all of that precipitation either travels
over the land or seeps into the ground. The water that runs over
the land and gets into the storm sewer system is called storm water
runoff. This water then goes directly into our nearby creeks, rivers,
and lakes.
What’s the problem?
As this water flows over the ground and through the streets it washes
debris, chemicals, and other pollutants into our creeks. The runoff,
along with everything it collects on the way, never gets treated. To see two common ways you may be unknowingly contributing to stormwater pollution, click here. Very expensive treatment technologies are required to remove these
harmful pollutants from our drinking water. In addition, excessive
debris can clog inlets causing flooding and property damage.
Ways for You to Prevent Stormwater Pollution.
- Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as oil, cleaning
supplies, and paint. Never pour them into the storm sewer system.
- Properly and efficiently use pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides
to prevent excess amounts into runoff.
- Report any signs of soil or other debris washing out of construction
sites that could impact water quality.
- Pick up after pets and dispose of their wastes in the toilet
or trashcan.
- Install innovative storm water practices on residential property
such as rain barrels or rain gardens.
- Report any discharges from storm system outfalls during times
of dry weather – a sign that there could be a problem with
the system.
How do we fix it?
Franconia Township, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP), is currently taking steps to
prevent storm water pollution through a federally mandated program
that better manages storm water. The 5-year NPDES (National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System) program will reduce the pollution
by identifying sources of contamination in our community and get
the entire township involved in making sure our water stays clean
for drinking, recreation and wildlife! Please, do your part and
help us manage stormwater pollution.
 Inlet Marker Program
These ceramic tiles are part of the township’s new public education and involvement program regarding the water quality of our creeks. Through this program, local youth organizations and other special interest groups can volunteer to glue these markers to the curbs and roads adjacent to our stormwater inlets. The program is designed to increase public awareness that all stormwater systems remain free of debris, oil, and other pollutants that flow into our streams.
If your or your group is interested in volunteering for this program, please contact Jamie Worman at 215-723-1137 or email her at jworman@franconiatownship.org
*Any illicit discharge as defined in the newly adopted ordinance is a violation of the code, and those who dump will be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine. Please call the Stormwater Hotline to report illicit discharges or anything that might pollute our streams at 215-723-1137!
To report an environmental emergency call
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Hotline: 484-250-5900,
Franconia Township Police 215-723-6777,
Township Office 215-723-1137
 Single-Family Construction
Are you planning construction on your property? Franconia Township is
taking measures to increase awareness of construction impacts on our water
resources. All projects that will clear, grade, or disturb a site must install
erosion and sediment controls. The sediment fromconstruction sites must be trapped
and prevented from leaving the site and getting into our storm sewer systems and creeks.
Not only do our water resources need to be protected, but without these controls,
properties downstream can be affected when stormwater carries the sediment down slope.
Use a Silt Fence
If the proper erosion control techniques are used, water quality will be improved and flooding will be reduced. Common control measures include silt fence, hydro-seeding, straw, and vegetation. Please contact the township with any questions or for more information on erosion and sediment control and stabilized measures to keep our waterways clean.
 Don’t Ditch the Ditch!
After it rains, stormwater runoff travels over the roads collecting debris and pollutants. The sediment, fertilizers, pet waste, oil and grease, etc. that can get into the water, quickly flow into the storm sewer where they get discharged directly into our creeks without ever being treated! The consequences of this can include odorous, unsightly algal blooms,
illness from bacteria, harm to our aquatic life, and expensive laboratory testing.
Ditches, the environmentally sensitive alternative, filter out some of these pollutants and infiltrate the runoff back into our groundwater. Compared to stormwater pipe, ditches provide more capacity to convey stormwater runoff and their pervious nature slows down the velocity to allow the water to be absorbed by plants and soil.
To help increase water quality and offset negative stormwater impacts, protect and preserve these low maintenance ditches!
For links to the EPA literature on stormwater pollution prevention please click on the following links, WaterEfficiencey, afterthestorm, RainDrainBrochure, SolutionToPolution
For more information please visit the following EPA websites: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwatermonth.fm
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm
The DEP has created a “When It Rains, It Drains” brochure
to help people understand storm water and its effects. The brochure
is available here. The DEP Fact Sheet is available here.
For more information, go to the DEP website, www.dep.state.pa.us,
keyword “stormwater”.
Other Links:
www.cabmphandbooks.com
www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/sw_cgp_brochure.pdf
Center for Watershed Protection Illicit Discharge Detection Manual
www.perkiomenwatershed.org
Rain Gardens
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