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Stormwater Management

Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source Pollution EPA Watersheds: This webpage is offered to educate residents about stormwater regulations, potential water pollution or flooding as a result of our local activities in the watershed. Solebury Township operates a Municipal Stormwater System (MSS) that is permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). This Permit requires that the Township:

  • Continue public education and outreach activities
  • Notify and solicit public input and involvement regarding management of the stormwater system
  • Monitor, test and eliminate illicit discharges from outfalls (stormwater exiting pipes into the waterways) in the system
  • Control construction site stormwater runoff through enforcement of ordinances
  • Ensure that all post-construction stormwater improvements in new or re-developed areas are built as designed and are operated and maintained properly
  • Implement a pollution prevention program for municipal operations

Nearly all of our Township newsletters have included an article about stormwater in the last five years or more as part of the PA DEP MSS Permit "public education" process. Township and development construction activities (land developments and subdivisions) are monitored by the Township Engineer.

In 2003, many municipalities in Pennsylvania were required to obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge storm runoff from the municipality owned storm sewer system (Learn more about NPDES on the United States Environmental Protection Agency webpage). Solebury Township received their NPDES-MS4 permit in 2004. Since that time, Solebury has complied with the requirements of the permit, which include tasks such as:

  • Enact a new Stormwater Management Ordinance (Ordinance No, 2011-06)
  • Inspect every stormwater outfall that discharges to the local streams and creeks for signs of pollution
  • Encourage the public to participate in stormwater related activities
  • Provide educational materials to the public and business owners
  • Review construction plans and permits for stormwater related concerns
  • File an annual report with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) documenting the permit related activities that occurred during the year.

Residents may be the first to recognize "illicit" discharges dumping into storm sewers, coming out of storm sewers or outfalls. An illicit discharge is any stormwater discharge to the stormwater conveyance system not composed entirely of stormwater. If you see an illicit discharge, please report it by calling the Township office at 215-297-5656 during regular business hours. After hours reports can be filed using the "Contact Us" feature on our website or by calling 911.

For additional information, visit the EPA Water Homepage  and the EPA Stormwater Homepage. Another valuable resource is the The Bucks County Conservation District website.