- Home
- Government
- Departments
- MS4: Storm Water Management
MS4: Storm Water Management
Polluted storm water runoff is commonly transported through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), from which it is often discharged untreated into local water bodies. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, operators must obtain a NPDES permit and develop a storm water management program.
If you have questions regarding storm water, please contact Hopewell Township or Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Regional Office. For general questions, you may also contact DEP’s Bureau of Water management or call at 717-772-5661. Thanks to the Washington State Water Quality Consortium for permission to adapt and use these posters.
Oils, Paints, & Pet Waste
Oils, paints and pet waste are not permitted in sewers. You are urged to report violations to Hopewell Township at 724-378-1460.
Complaints
View a complaint form (PDF) for residents who have any issues with water management.
What Can You Do to Help?
- Alternatives to toxic substances
- Landscaping and lawn care
- Pest control
- Pet waste management
- Proper disposal of household hazardous wastes
- Residential car washing
-
Leaking oil goes from car to street, and is washed from the street into our storm drain and into our lakes and streams. Now imagine the number of cars in the area and you can imagine the amount of oil that finds its way from leaky gaskets into our water. So please, fix your oil leak.
-
When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that pet waste and bacteria into our storm drains. Then it pollutes our waterways. So what to do? Simple, dispose of it properly (preferably in the toilet.) Then that little surprise gets treated like it should.
-
You fertilize your lawn. Then it rains. The rain washes the fertilizer along the curb, into the storm drain, and directly into our lakes and streams. This causes algae to grow, which uses up oxygen that fish need to survive. So if you fertilize, please follow directions and use sparingly.
-
All the soap, scum, and oily grit runs along the curb. Then into the storm drain and directly into our lakes and streams. So how do you avoid this whole mess? Easy. Wash your car on grass or gravel instead of the street. Or better yet, take it to a car wash where the water gets treated and recycled.
Informational Literature
- After the Storm flyer (PDF)
- Clean Water Campaign Activity Book (PDF)
- Construction Runoff flyer (PDF)
- Construction Site Runoff Control - Small MS4 Program Minimal Control Measure 4 (PDF)
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination - Small MS4 Program Minimal Control Measure 3 (PDF)
- Introduction to MS4 (PDF)
- Pollution Prevention Good Housekeeping - Small MS4 Program Minimal Control Measure 6 (PDF)
- Post-Construction Runoff Control - Small MS4 Program Minimal Control Measure 5 (PDF)
- Public Education and Outreach - Small MS4 Program Minimal Control Measure 1 (PDF)
- Public Participation and Involvement - Small MS4 Program Minimal Control Measure 2 (PDF)
- Rain-Drain Educational brochure (PDF)
- Splish-Splash Activity Book (PDF)
- The Homeowners Guide to Stormwater (PDF)