Stormwater Management

Plan Update

2025 ANNUAL MS4 PRESENTATION

Stormwater Overview

Stormwater Management in Northampton Township

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or melting snow flows over land and hard surfaces—such as streets, driveways, and rooftops—without soaking into the ground. As this runoff travels, it can collect pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, oil, grease, dirt, and debris. These pollutants are then carried into our lakes, streams, and rivers, harming water quality, our environment, and even our drinking water supply.

To protect local waterways, the Township uses detention, retention, and infiltration basins designed to manage and treat stormwater before it enters natural water systems.

Stormwater Regulations

Northampton Township manages stormwater under a permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II / Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program. This federally required permit—regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the state—includes six minimum control measures:

1. Public Education and Outreach

2. Public Participation and Involvement

3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

4. Construction Site Runoff Control

5. Post-Construction Runoff Control

6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

Illicit Discharges

Federal law defines an illicit discharge as “any discharge to an MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater” (with certain exceptions such as fire-fighting activities or NPDES-permitted industrial discharges). Because storm sewer systems are not designed to handle pollutants, these discharges pose a serious threat to water quality.

Report a Concern

If you have questions about stormwater management—or wish to report an illicit discharge—please contact the Township at (215) 357-6800 x214.

More Information

There are many ways you can help the Township with its stormwater program, such as participating in volunteer programs that help keep trash, debris and other pollutants out of the storm sewer system. For more information on ways to get involved with your community, visit:

PennDOT: Adopt-A-Highway
https://adoptahighway.penndot.pa.gov/Apply.aspx

USEPA
http://www.epa.gov/

Stormwater Program
https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program

Stormwater Discharge from MS4's 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources#overview

Stormwater Outreach Materials and Reference Documents

https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-smart-outreach-tools

PA DEP 
https://www.dep.pa.gov/.

PA DEP Southeast Region Office
http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/SoutheastRegion/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWfKFsrKUk

Stormwater Management Program
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWiP1srKUl

BCCD Bucks County Conservation District 
http://www.bucksccd.org/

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency 
http://www.fema.gov/

CWP Center for Watershed Protection 
http://www.cwp.org/

Department of Environmental Protection

PADEP – MS4 Resources: 
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Stormwater/Pages/MS4-Resources.aspx#.VtWaHFsrKUk

PADEP - MS4 Stormwater Activity Book for Children
http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/BPNPSM/StormwaterManagement/MunicipalStormwater/MuniSWResources/MS4_Partners_Stormwater_Activity_Book_2015-rv2.pdf

DEP Southeast Regional Office: 
http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/SoutheastRegion/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWfKFsrKUk

PA DEP Stormwater Management Program: 
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/default.aspx#.VtWiP1srKUl

DEP – E&S for Single Family Homes and Minor Construction Projects: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107599/3150-FS-DEP4096.pdf

DEP – Snow Management and Removal: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-109526/3800-FS-DEP1634.pdf

DEP – Swimming Pool Discharge Guidelines: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108937/3850-FS-DEP4251.pdf

DEP – Stream Improvement Program:
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-108190/3130-FS-DEP2179.pdf

DEP – Minimizing Accelerated Soil Erosion & Preventing Sediment Pollution: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-107595/3150-FS-DEP1841.pdf

DEP – Reporting Requirements for Spills and Pollution Incidents under PA Clean Streams Law: 
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-101220/3800-FS-DEP4449.pdf

DEP – Water Quality Standards: 
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/WaterQuality/Pages/default.aspx#.VtW6sy0o6Uk

United States Environmental Protection Agency

EPA – Stormwater Fact Sheets and Outreach Materials: 
https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-smart-outreach-tools

EPA - Stormwater Basic Information: 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program 

EPA - Stormwater Discharges from MS4’s: 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources#overview

EPA - MS4 Overview: 
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-0.pdf

EPA - MS4 Fact Sheet: 
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-1.pdf

EPA –Urbanized Area Definition: 
http://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-2.pdf

EPA – Public Education and Outreach: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-3.pdf

EPA – Public Participation and Involvement: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-4.pdf

EPA – Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-5.pdf

EPA -  Construction Site Runoff Control: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-6.pdf

EPA – Post-Construction Runoff Control: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-7.pdf

EPA – Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-8.pdf

EPA – National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices:
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/national-menu-best-management-practices-bmps-stormwater#edu

EPA – Stormwater Permit Coverage for Construction Sites: 
https://www3.epa.gov/region10/pdf/water/stormwater_permit_brochure_print.pdf

EPA – After the Storm:
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/after_the_storm.pdf

EPA – Stormwater Management Practices: 
http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management-practices-epa-facilities

EPA – Stormwater Management: 
http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater-management

EPA – Green Infrastructure: 
http://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure

EPA Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Menu: 
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/national-menu-best-management-practices-bmps-stormwater-documents

EPA – Evaluating the Effectiveness of Municipal Stormwater Programs: 
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/region3_factsheet_swmp.pdf

EPA – Water Pollution Prevention and Control: 
http://www.epa.gov/p2/learn-about-pollution-prevention

Miscellaneous

Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy: 
http://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/

DEP – Raingardens and Rain Barrels: 
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/programs-and-services/water/clean-water/stormwater-management/be-stormwater-smart

PADOT Adopt-a Highway: 
https://adoptahighway.penndot.pa.gov/Apply.aspx

Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater: 
http://www.stormwaterguide.org/static/HomeownersGuide.pdf

Green Guide for Property Management: 
http://schuylkillwaters.org/doc_files/Green%20Guide%20for%20Property%20Management.pdf

Center for Watershed Protection Municipal Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping Practices (Manual 9):
http://www.in.gov/indot/files/Municipal_Pollution_Prevention_and_Good_Housekeeping.pdf  

Documents