|
The Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has a statewide
program designed to improve our quality of water. The program
requires all municipalities in populated areas to detect and
eliminate Non-Point Source Pollution (NPSP). NPSP is a combination
of contaminants from various sources that find their way into our
streams, lakes, and rivers by way of rainfall and snowmelt. Many of
the pollutants include but are not limited to soap, oil, gasoline,
littler, cigarette butts and sediments. The main outlet of these
contaminants is from storm drain discharge. Storm drains offer no
means of filtration and are easy targets for illegal dumping. It is
important that residents understand that what goes down storm drains
ultimately ends up in lakes, streams, and other bodies of water. To
insure healthy water for both aquatic life and human consumption we
must first detect and hen eliminate NPSP.
The Township is doing its part. The Township has begun monitoring
and testing of storm sewer outfalls that have flow during dry
periods. The Township is asking for all residents to cooperate with
the inspectors, as some outfalls are located on private properties.
All information from this inspection will be used to remedy any area
deemed polluted.
The Township is asking residents and business owners to do their
part. Please dispose of litter properly, keeping soaps, oil, gas,
and all chemicals off of the pavement and out of storm drains. Also,
use fertilizers sparingly and properly, as this can cause unwanted
algae growth in bodies of water. And remember, dumping of anything
down a storm drain is illegal and violators may be fined.
The Department of
Environmental Protection has put together this extremely informative
website.
www.epa.gov/nps/toolbox
Here are a few sites
that we have found to be very informative -
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency has the following sites-
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwatermonth.cfm
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm
http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/outreach/documents/
You can also find information on the
Department of Environmental Protection's Website by
clicking here.
|
