Stormwater Management
In some way everybody contributes to polluting our waterways and in nearly every case we can help keep our water clean simply by making a few small adjustments. Understanding more about Stormwater Runoff will help you do your part to help keep our water clean.
Stormwater Management for Building Projects
On September 9, 2014 the Borough of Phoenixville adopted a new Stormwater Management Ordinance (PDF) to minimize the impacts of new development, redevelopment and other earth disturbance activities to protect, sustain and enhance the quality and quantity of all water resources to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and preserve the diverse natural resources and aesthetic and recreational assets of Phoenixville Borough, Chester County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
In addition to the requirements under local zoning and ordinances, federal regulations require individual land development projects to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all land development projects that disturb one acre or more. The 1999 update to the federal stormwater regulations also required municipalities throughout Pennsylvania to obtain NPDES permits for their stormwater discharges. Each permit holder must implement and enforce a stormwater management program that reduces the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.
Chester County Water Resources Authority
Chester County’s Water Resources Authority, through Act 167, has created a county-wide integrated water resources management plan that includes the implementation of the local stormwater ordinance (PDF). More information is available on their website.
The Chester County Water Resources Authority has prepared a Homeowner and Small Projects Factsheet (PDF) to accompany the following changes. A guide (PDF) created to assist you to develop and implement a stormwater management plan for your property has been created.
Application
View or download the Stormwater Management Application (PDF).
Flood Insurance Rate Maps
The state Department of Community and Economic Development maintains a website containing the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The site will help users determine if they are located in a floodplain and assist local officials in their creation of floodplain-management strategies to ensure public safety
Phoenixville’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program
Click here to view the 2022 MS4 video
Untreated and uncontrolled stormwater runoff is the number one cause of impairment in local Pennsylvania waterways. Polluted runoff is often transported through municipal stormwater systems where it is eventually discharged into streams.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a municipal stormwater management program known as the MS4 Program that is intended to improve water quality of the waterways in the United States, by reducing the quantities of pollutants that stormwaters can carry into stormsewer systems during storm events.
Contact the MS4 Program
For additional information concerning the MS4 program or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please Email MS4 Program
Discharge Permit
As part of the MS4 Program, the Borough of Phoenixville, like other municipalities, holds a permit to discharge stormwater into the local waterways.
As part of this permit, the Borough is responsible for overseeing a stormwater management program that reduces the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent possible, and that satisfies the water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act. In Pennsylvania, the MS4 program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Program Elements
The MS4 stormwater management program has six elements known as “minimum control measures” (MCM). It is intended that implementation of these six MCMs will result in an immediate and long-term reduction of pollutants that are discharged into waterways. The six minimum control measures include:
- Borough Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Post Construction Runoff Control
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation and Involvement
Do Your Part
The Borough of Phoenixville is committed to improving water quality within the municipal watershed through better management of stormwater runoff. Every resident and business owner needs to participate in the municipal stormwater program by reducing and preventing pollutant runoff from their own property. They should also report any non-stormwater discharges that flow into local waterways to the Borough at 610-933-8801.
| Violation | Who to Call |
|---|---|
| Dumping of petroleum products,
chemicals, hazard materials to the
ground surface or stormwater facilities |
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, (484) 250 5900 |
| Spills of petroleum products, chemicals
or hazard materials |
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, (484) 250 5900 |
| Sediment leaving a construction site | Chester County Conservation District,
(610) 925 4920 |
| Pollutants in Waterway | Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, (484) 250 5900 |
| Sewage effluent discharges | Chester County Health Department (On-lot septic
systems), (610) 344 6225 or Phoenixville Borough
(Public sewer system), (610) 933 8801 |
| Fish kills | Pennsylvania Fish Commission, (717) 626 0228 or
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, (484) 250 5900 |
Educational Material
- After the Storm (PDF)
- Borough of Phoenixville Schuylkill River Activity Book
- Fertilizing Tips (PDF)
- Grasscycling (PDF)
- Homeowner's Guide to Small Stormwater Management Projects (PDF)
- MS4 - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Plan - Phoenixville - April 2020
- MS4 BMP Inspection Checklist (PDF)
- MS4 Lawn Care Article