Stormwater Management Information

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NPDES Permit Program Basics
This section of this website contains basic information on the major features and elements of the NPDES permit program. The information in this section will be most useful to state and tribal officials, interested citizens, and others with an interest in the details of the NPDES program. This information is broadly applicable to all NPDES permits and programs, including EPA Home , EPA A-Z Index , EPA NPDES , Stormwater Programs , EPA Municipal Stormwater , and EPA SW BMP Menu .

EPA Stormwater Program Overview
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is discharged untreated. The primary method to control stormwater discharges is the use of best management practices (BMPs). In addition, most stormwater discharges are considered point sources and require coverage under an NPDES permit. For more information about the Stormwater program, visit the Stormwater Basic Information page. More....

The EPA Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox provides an abundance of examples of educational/outreach and survey/evaluation materials from across the country.

EPA MS4 Overview
Polluted stormwater runoff is commonly transported through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), from which it is often discharged untreated into local waterbodies. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, operators must obtain a NPDES permit and develop a stormwater management program.

DEP Stormwater Management Program
The Bureau of Watershed Management's mission is to restore and protect Pennsylvania's watersheds through: proper planning and management of water resources and their uses; reducing the impacts of nonpoint sources of pollution on water resources; regulating activities for soil conservation and waterway and wetlands protection;forming partnerships and building local capacity to restore and protect water resources, including drinking water sources; and educating Pennsylvania citizens about watersheds and watershed management.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater program requires that Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) address the six required elements contained in the federal regulations to reduce water pollution:

On the DEP Homepage, selecting “Site Map” from the right side margin will cause many topic links to appear. Users can always use the “Search” option to find information. On the Site Map, Stormwater/MS4 information is located about 2/3 the way down.

Stormwater information can be located by selecting the “Businesses” tab along the top of the homepage, then the “Water” tab, then the “Bureau of Point and Non-Point Source Management” tab, then the “Stormwater Management” tab, and the Municipal Stormwater tab.

Water Quality Standards information (e.g., TMDLs, designated uses, impaired waters, etc.) can be located from the “Bureau of Point and Non-Point Source Management” tab, then the “ Water Quality Standards ” tab. At this site, users can view the 2014 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report .

For access to DEP GIS tools such as eMapPA , select “Data and Tools” from the DEP homepage, then “GIS” (eMapPA is also available by selecting “Tools”).

For access to the DEP eLibrary system, select “Citizens” from the DEP homepage, then “Public Records and Documents”.

The StormwaterPA site provides useful information about stormwater runoff and management, including videos and information on stormwater best practices.

The Temple – Villanova Sustainable Stormwater Initiative maintains a regional Stormwater BMP database .