Stormwater

Ways to Prevent Stormwater Pollution

• Properly dispose of hazardous substances, such as used motor oil, cleaning supplies, and paint. Never pour them down any part of the storm sewer system. Report anyone who does.
• Use pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff.
• Look for signs of soil and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals, leaving construction sites in stormwater runoff or tracked into roads by construction vehicles. Report poorly managed construction sites that could impact stormwater runoff to Plainfield Township.
• Install innovative stormwater systems on residential properties, such as rain barrels or rain gardens, that capture stormwater and keep it on-site instead of letting it drain away into the storm sewer system.
• Report any discharge from stormwater outfalls during times of dry weather—a sign that there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.
• Pick up after pets and dispose of their waste properly. No matter where pets make a mess—in a backyard, on open space, or a sidewalk—stormwater runoff can carry pet waste from the land to the storm sewer system to a stream.
• Keep potentially-polluting materials indoors. To eliminate exposure of materials to stormwater, use outdoor storage containers that do not rust or leak.

Illicit Discharges
An illicit discharge is any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. A few exceptions to this rule include: firefighting activities, landscape irrigation, foundation drains, and water from crawl space pumps. Sources of illicit discharge include but are not limited to:

• Sanitary wastewater
• Failing septic systems
• Improper oil disposal
• Radiator flushing disposal
• Spills from roadway accidents
• Improper disposal of toxics
• Improper use of pesticides and herbicides

Illicit discharges enter the system either through direct connections (deliberate pipe hookups to the storm drain system) or indirect connections (spills collected by drain outlets, or deliberate dumping down the storm drain). These illicit discharges drain directly to the creeks and streams and may be loaded with large amounts of harmful and toxic substances. If you notice illicit discharges, please report them to Plainfield Township at 610-759-6944 or the Northeast Regional Office of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at 570-826-2511.

Alternatively, illicit discharges can be reported to Plainfield Township by utilizing the Illicit Discharge Citizen Complaint Form provided below.

Documents and Links
Illicit Discharge Complaint Form
What is MS4? Penn State Extension Literature and Video
What is an Illegal Discharge?
After the Storm
Fact Sheet For Developers - Construction Runoff
Fact Sheet For Little Bushkill Creek Watershed #1
Fact Sheet For Little Bushkill Creek Watershed #2
Green Guide For Property Management
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Resources
Homeowners Guide To Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Maintenance
Map of Plainfield Township MS4 Outfalls/Sewershed
Pennsyvania DEP Erosion and Sedimentation Best Management Practices Manual
Penn State Extension - Road Guide to Clean Water
Guide to Rural Water: Water Wells and Septic Systems
Stormwater Runoff - Hazard Card
Flash Flooding - Hazard Card
Winter Storms - Hazard Card

Stormwater Videos
After the Storm by US EPA
Reduce Runoff: Slow it Down, Spread it Out, Soak it In by US EPA

Illicit Discharge Citizen Complaint Form
Do you have an illicit/illegal discharge to report?
Plainfield Township has provided the below form that can be downloaded, completed and provided back to the Plainfield Township Municipal Office, which is located at 6292 Sullivan Trail, Nazareth, PA 18064, or via an email sent directly to the Plainfield Township Manager at manager@plainfieldtownship.org

Illicit Discharge Complaint Form