When it Rains, It Drains!
Understanding stormwater and how it can affect your money, safety, health and the environment:
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is simply nature at work! It’s the fresh water from rain, snow, and ice melt that either soaks into the ground or makes its way to our storm drains—those handy inlets you see at street corners. Collectively, this is called stormwater runoff.
Rain is an essential part of nature’s water cycle, keeping our world green and vibrant. However, when the flow is interrupted by pavement and pollutants, we encounter some challenges:
- Flooding can occur when too much water rushes over hard surfaces instead of soaking naturally into the earth.
- Maintenance costs can rise when storm drains clog with dirt and debris.
- Local ecosystems might struggle if pollutants degrade fish habitats.
- Drinking water supplies may need extra, more expensive treatment if runoff carries harmful substances.
- Public recreation can be impacted if bacteria levels close beaches or local swimming spots.
But we can help the rain restore its good reputation! By working together, we can protect our health, enhance our environment, and save money for our community. Keep reading to discover simple ways you can make a big difference!
Restoring Rain’s Reputation… What Everyone Can Do To Help:
Rain by nature is important for replenishing drinking water supplies, recreation and healthy wildlife habitats. It only becomes a problem when pollutants from our activities like car maintenance, lawn care and dog walking are left on the ground for rain to wash away. Here are some of the most important ways to prevent stormwater pollution:
- Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as used oil, cleaning supplies, and paint. NEVER pour them down any part of the storm sewer system, and please report anyone who does. Local municipalities often host hazardous waste collection events; you can check the York County Solid Waste Authority website for resources.
- Use pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff into our waterways. Follow application guidelines carefully.
- Report poorly managed construction sites that show signs of soil erosion or other pollutants (debris, chemicals) entering stormwater runoff. These can be tracked onto roads by construction vehicles and impact our water quality.
- Install innovative stormwater practices on your property, such as rain barrels or rain gardens. These capture stormwater and keep it on-site, preventing it from draining into the storm sewer system.
- Report any discharges from stormwater outfalls during dry weather—this could be a sign of a problem with the storm sewer system that requires investigation.
- Pick up after pets and dispose of their waste properly in a trash receptacle. Pet waste left on the ground can be carried by stormwater runoff directly into local streams and rivers.
- Store materials that could pollute stormwater indoors, and use sealed, non-rusting containers for necessary outdoor storage to eliminate exposure to precipitation..
Why is Stormwater “Good Rain Gone Wrong”?
Stormwater becomes a significant concern when it causes flooding, erodes stream banks, or picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants. This runoff travels through a network of pipes and roadside ditches that form the storm sewer systems. Critically, stormwater does not undergo treatment before it flows directly into a nearby lake, river, stream, wetland, or coastal water. All the pollutants collected along its journey are deposited directly into our natural water systems.
Here are key ways pollutants enter our local water systems via stormwater runoff:
- Pet waste left on the ground is easily carried away by runoff, contributing harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses to our water sources.
- Vehicle fluids (oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluids, etc.) commonly drip onto paved surfaces. Stormwater runoff carries these toxins through our storm drains and directly into local waters.
- Lawn and garden chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, can run off into storm drains if not applied properly or if lawns are over-watered or it rains shortly after application.
- Construction site waste, including chemicals and eroded soil, can wash into the storm sewer system during rain events. Soil erosion alone causes significant environmental degradation, harming vital fish and shellfish populations important for local recreation and the economy.
Helpful Stormwater Information
Red Lion Borough has executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Watershed Alliance of York (WAY) to promote watershed protection. WAY is a coalition of stakeholders committed to being innovative leaders educating the public and encouraging watershed-based planning, restoration and protection in York County, Pennsylvania, and beyond. WAY provides watershed educational assistance and sponsors stream and illegal dump site cleanups throughout the year. For a summary of WAY’s upcoming activities, please click here.
York County Stormwater Authority Info:
Timeline for Recent Stormwater Actions
Flood & Pollution Reduction Fees for Commercial Parcels
Flood & Pollution Reduction Fees & Credits for Farm Parcels
Flood & Pollution Reduction Fees for Residential Parcels
OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:
MCM#3 Illicit Discharge Detection and Prevention
Homeowners Guide to Stormwater BMP Maintenance
What you need to Know to Take Care of Your Property
Department of Environmental Protection MS4 Information
Pennsylvania’s Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay – Reduce Your Stormwater
