Stormwater Management
According to the State Department of Environmental Protection, STORMWATER ONLY may enter the storm water system. There are many resources available explaining the need for clean water and what you, as a community member, can help the Borough reduce the flow of non-stormwater into our storm water system. For example:
- Pick up your grass and leaves to compost rather than blowing them into the streets to be washed into the storm system.
- If a spill of a hazardous material occurs – oil, antifreeze, gasoline, etc. - don’t wash it into the street, clean it up using an absorbant material such as kitty litter.
- Washing your car? Take it to a car wash, which has special systems to recycle the water. If you can’t go to a car wash, then wash your vehicle on hte lawn with a non-toxic detergent. Your lawn will thank you and you will reduce the chances of detergent getting into the stormwater system.
Emergency Contact Listings:
- Police Emergency – 911
- Spills & Emergencies: PA DEP – 484-250-5900
- Fish Kills: PA Fish Commmission – 717-626-0228
- Sanitary Sewer Clogs, Leaks, Overflows: Colwyn Borough – 610-461-2000
- Illicit Discharges into Storm Sewer System: Colwyn Borough – 610-461-2000
Here are a few resources:
- PA Department of Environmental Education – http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/dep_home/5968
- Delaware County Conservation District – www.delcocd.org
- Stormwater Center – www.stormwatercenter.net
- Pennsylvania Environmental Council – http://www.pecpa.org
- NPDES Program Basics – http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=45
- Municipal MS4 Information – http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/munic.cfm
- Darby Creek Valley Association – http://dcva.org
- Stormwater Outreach and Reference Documents – http://cfpub1.epa.gov/npdes/stormwatermonth.cfm
- Pollution Prevention for Businesses – http://pasbdc.org/index/services/emap.asp
- Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Assocation – http://www.crcwatersheds.org
Upcoming Stormwater Events for Borough Residents
- The Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association will host a seminar on Lawn Alternatives for the Real World on Saturday, June 18th.
- Media ECO Event
- Free Water Conservation and Stormwater Management for Delaware County Residents, Businesses and Municipal Officials – We All Live Downstream
Here is a great video to share with your family:
Our Borough has an Illicit Discharge Ordinance that prohibits dumping into the Borough’s Storm Sewer System. Report any dumping to the Borough immediately.


