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:

• DEP Stormwater Management Program – http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/stormwater_management/10628
• 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
• Center for Watershed Protection – www.cwp.org
• 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
• Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Assocation – http://www.crcwatersheds.org

Upcoming Stormwater Events for Borough Residents

• The Delaware County Hazardous Waste Collections continue in 2012. The next dates will be in the Fall of 2012. These include Thursday, September 13 at Rose Tree Park and Saturday, October 13 at the Upper Chichester Municipal Building.

Here is a great video to share with your family:

• http://www.greenworks.tv/waterquality/stormy.htm

Our Borough has an Illicit Discharge Ordinance that prohibits dumping into the Borough’s Storm Sewer System. Report any dumping to the Borough immediately at 610-461-2000.