Stormwater

What is Storm Water and Why Is It So Important?
Storm water runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snow melt events flow over land and impervious surfaces and does not infiltrate into the ground.

The runoff from streets, lawns, farms and construction and industrial sites picks up fertilizers, dirt, chemicals, pesticides, oil, grease and many other pollutants and discharges it into our streams and rivers. This untreated discharge is detrimental to our water quality as it can adversely affect our drinking water supply and the environment.

How Can Residents Help
There are many ways you can help the Borough with its storm water program and participate in activities and programs that will keep pollutants, chemicals, trash, and other waste products out of our waterways. Please read these tips for your lawn & garden found in the Solution to Pollution publication from the EPA.

Residents can help by being aware of the following activities within our community:

• Sediment leaving a construction site via stormwater runoff
• Spills (chemical, gas, oil)
• Illegal dumping activity into streams or storm sewers (PLEASE CALL 911 FIRST)
• Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (at least 72 hours after a rain storm)

Residents may be the first to recognize "illicit" discharges dumping into storm sewers or coming out of from storm sewer outfalls. If you see an "illicit" discharge please report it by calling the Borough office at 215-249-3310 between 9AM and 4PM weekdays, or Email us at cpursell@dublinborough.org. Take photos, if possible.

Things You and Your Community Can Do to Protect Water Resources
Disconnect your downspout from the street drain and Plant a Rain Garden.

Rainwater from your roof is just as damaging to creeks and streams as run off from a parking lot. Let your yard help filter out impurities and infiltrate storm water back into your aquifer. If you don't have street drains, be certain storm water coming through your downspouts is directed onto your own property and not into the road, road ditch, or a neighbor's property. Consider disconnecting your downspouts and installing rain barrels instead. They can provide water for your gardens. Or, install a rain garden.

Maintain open, forested floodplains. Filling floodplains shortchanges the filtering power of natural areas and increases flooding elsewhere. It is also illegal.

Plant trees and maintain streamside buffers
Streamside trees and native vegetation help filter storm water run-off and help hold steambank soils in place. DEP recently enacted a 75' buffer alongs steams to enhance water quality and reduce storm water runoff. Use Best Management Practices to protect your steam buffer.

Maintain a naturally vegetated edge between creeks and pastures or cultivated fields
A naturally vegetated stream buffer will filter out excess fertilizers and pesticides from adjacent farm fields.

Reduce your use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides
Follow directions for weed killers and pesticides very carefully, or consider discontinuing their use. Much of the chemicals and fertilizers you apply in the spring flow directly into the local creeks and seep into ground waters because the grass is not ready to absorb it. Set your mower height at 3 inches and use a mulching mower to create a healthy, organic lawn. Fertilize only in the fall. Consider "grasscycling".

Never dump household substances or used oil into a storm drain
Bring used oil to certified recycling facilities.

Convert large yards or public spaces from mown grass to meadows
The typical suburban lawn is nearly as impervious as a parking lot! Native meadow grasses infiltrate storm water better and provide critical habitat for grassland birds. Consider converting a portion of your lawn into a meadow with paths through it to observe the wildlife.

Pick up after your pets and keep livestock out of steams
Pet and animal wastes carry many harmful bacteria and possible diseases. They make creeks less amenable to native critters and require expensive water treatment for human use. Studies by the Center for Watershed Protection have found that a significant portion of fecal coliform bacteria in residential storm water originates from canine waste.

Stormwater Resources for Residents

What You Can Do to Soak Up the Rain
Resources for Residents

Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Maintenance
What you need to know to take care of your property.

Penn State Extension: Urban Stormwater Basics
Simple explanations of how stormwater systems work in towns and boroughs.