Malvern Borough Stormwater
Management Program
In Conjunction with the Pennsylvania DEP MS–4 Program
The Problem
We all see the water flowing into our storm drains during a storm or snowmelt. What most residents don’t realize, is that the water flowing into our Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s) is arriving dirtier and in greater quantities than ever before. The problem occurs when precipitation lands on an impervious surface such as a paved street, rooftop, or driveway. Instead of the water slowly soaking into the soil and becoming purified, the water flows over these impervious surfaces and picks up pollutants. Oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and litter are all picked up by the water and conveyed directly to a storm drain with the impurities in tow.
The Result
- Increased volumes of polluted water reaching our storm sewers impair the waterways, thereby discouraging use of the resource.
- Pollutants contaminate drinking water supplies, and interfere with the habitat for fish, aquatic organisms, and wildlife.
- High volumes of water undercut streambeds and cause erosion, leading to an overall downfall in the health of a stream.
The Solution
Malvern Borough is part of a statewide campaign to combat storm sewer pollution. The Pennsylvania Department for Environmental Protection has developed the following six guidelines (Minimum Control Measures) for program development in order to help communities like Malvern Borough accomplish their goals:
Public Education and Outreach
Distributing educational materials and performing outreach to inform citizens about the impacts polluted storm water runoff discharges can have on water quality.
Controls include:
- Creating brochures or fact sheets for public distribution.
- Instituting educational programs for school–age children.
Public Participation/Involvement
Providing opportunities for citizens to participate directly in program development and implementation.
Controls include:
- Organization of communtiy clean–ups, storm drain stenciling, outfall monitoring, and citizen watch groups.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Developing a system to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the storm sewer system.
Controls include:
- Promoting recycling programs for commonly dumped wastes.
- Locating and testing suspected problem areas for pollution.
- Informing the public of the hazards of illegal discharges.
Construction Site Runoff Control
Developing, implementing, and enforcing an erosion and sediment control program for construction activities.
Controls include:
- Appropriate site plan review and inspection of new construction.
- Require implementation of State and County erosion control regulations.
Post Construction Runoff Control
Creating a program to address storm water runoff from newly developed or redeveloped areas.
Controls include:
- Regular street sweeping.
- Reduction in the use of pesticides or street salt.
- Frequent catch–basin clearing.
