- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Water Resources Authority
- Stormwater Management
Improving Stormwater Management
Too much rain, not absorbed into the ground, becomes stormwater runoff. This can cause flooding. Stormwater runoff is also one of the major causes of water pollution in Chester County. Pollutants such as soil and automotive fluid are carried off in the runoff. This polluted runoff is not treated and flows to the nearest stream. Improving the management of stormwater runoff can be accomplished in two key steps:
- find ways to increase the amount of rainwater that can be absorbed into the ground (at home, your business and in your community) and
- prevent pollutants from entering the water.
PA Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan
- The Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Act of 1978 (PA Act 167) requires counties to prepare stormwater management plans for all watersheds within the county. As of July 2, 2013, Act 167 plans have been completed and approved for all of Chester County's watersheds. The approved Act 167 Plans in Chester County include plans for five individual watersheds and the most recent plan covers the entire county. Click here for more information.
- Quick Link to the County-wide Act 167 Stormwater Management Model Ordinance (Appendix D of the County-wide Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan for Chester County, PA)
Public Education Brochures
- What is a Watershed? (also published in a 4-page, letter size format)
- Stormwater Basin Retrofit
- Reducing Stormwater and Flooding
- Maintaining Stormwater Facilities
- Managing Small Ponds
- Stream Restoration
- Caring for your Streamside Property (also published in a 4-page, letter size format)
- The County Of Chester is required, similar to municipalities, under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), to obtain a permit to discharge stormwater from their storm sewer system to waters of the Commonwealth. The purpose of this permit program is to eliminate or minimize the impacts from County operations and facilities on the water quality of our streams and waterways. To learn more about Chester County's MS4 Stormwater Program, click here.
- PA-DEP's Stormwater Management Program
- PA-DEP's Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Systems (About the MS4 Program)
- Stormwater PA
- Center for Watershed Protection
- Stormwater Resources (The Stormwater Manager's Resource Center)
- Stormwater - The Journal of Surface Water Quality Professionals
- A Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management
- Stormwater Basins Retrofits (PA PEC) and Interactive Basin Retrofit Resource
- Villanova University Urban Stormwater Partnership
- Rain Gardens
- A how-to manual for homeowners (© University of Wisconsin)
- Rain Gardens - A household way to improve water quality in your community (© University of Wisconsin)
- Sapovits Park and Nether Providence Municipal Building Rain Gardens: Design and Construction (slide show)
- Rain Gardens - A beautiful contribution for cleaner water (brochure)
(PADEP Approved July 2, 2013)
This Model Ordinance presents a comprehensive compilation of components necessary for effective stormwater management, and it reflects a moderate level of restrictions in its numeric standards. The components included are based on technically sound principles and represent the best and most responsive balance of inputs received from a wide range of technical resources and stakeholders. Act 167 requires that within 6 months following PADEP approval of the County-wide Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan, all Chester County municipalities adopt the ordinance requirements included in the Plan.