Clean Water Fund is helping municipalities in Southeastern Pennsylvania adopt effective stormwater management ordinances to protect water resources.

Due to an increase in impervious surfaces as an area is developed, rain no longer filters through the ground as it naturally would. Instead, nearly 90% of all rain that falls on land developed in the conventional manner runs off into nearby streams. This excessive runoff is loaded with pollution from roofs, lawns, and parking lots and can pollute our drinking water sources. This runoff also overloads streams causing flooding, stream bank erosion, and property damage. The traditional approach to stormwater management is ineffective and expensive, causing our rivers and drinking water sources to become more polluted.

Proper management of stormwater runoff emphasizes infiltration, where water soaks into the ground instead of running into nearby streams. Proper stormwater management can prevent flooding, reduce pollution of our streams, and recharge our wells.

Municipalities can implement proper stormwater management by adopting ordinances that require infiltration of rainfall. Effectively managing stormwater today is something our local officials can do to preserve our quality of life and ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for tomorrow.

Clean Water Fund is helping municipalities in Southeastern Pennsylvania adopt effective stormwater management ordinances to protect water resources.

Resources:

Protecting Your Water Resources: The Guide to a Model Municipal Ordinance

Protecting Your Water Resources: A Glimpse of a Model Municipal Ordinance