Stormwater Management

New storm water regulations from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) require that our municipality investigate potentially illicit discharges into our streams as well as other events adversely affecting water quality.

YOU CAN HELP BY PROMPTLY CALLING 911 TO REPORT THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:

  • Dumping, spills or other illicit (illegal) discharge into storm sewers or streams
  • Sediment leaving a construction site during a rain event
  • Observed pollution event or pollutants entering a stream
  • Clogged sanitary sewer lines (evidenced by waste/toliet paper observed on a lawn or in street)
  • Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (a dry weather flow is water observed flowing out of a pipe when there hasn’t been any rainfall for a period of 72 hours or more)
  • Fish Kills
  • Water Main break

Educational Flyers:

Illicit discharge

Scoop the Poop!

SANITARY SEWER BACKUPS
In the event of a sanitary sewer backup at your property, please call 911.

Although the Borough maintains its sewer system, periodic backups into homes or businesses may occur.  In most cases, the Borough’s responsibility ends when the line is cleared and the problem causing the blockage has been addressed.  Most homeowners’ insurance policies have optional riders for sewer backups that, if purchased will provide coverage.

The State Department of Environmental Protection has a simple rule for what can enter East Lansdowne’s municipal storm water system: STORMWATER ONLY! State and federal clean water regulations, which East Lansdowne and other municipalities are required to follow, prohibit anything other than stormwater from entering the storm inlets found on most streets in the Borough.

What does this mean for you?

Here are some typical examples:

  • After you mow your lawn, don’t blow or rake the clippings into the street. Rain water can wash them into the storm sewer system. Instead, bag them and place them on the curb for pick up by the Borough’s sanitation department on your next pick up day.
  • If you spill a hazardous chemical, such as antifreeze, on your sidewalk or driveway, don’t wash it into the street. Use an absorbent material like kitty litter or rags to clean it up.
  • If you are doing concrete work on your sidewalk, don’t wash excess material into the street or pour it directly into the storm sewer.
  • If you are power washing your home, don’t use detergents if the wash water might enter the storm sewer system.
  • If you are washing your car, try to use a non-toxic detergent and do the washing on the grass.

Information for BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS!
(Don’t Let Storm Water Run Off with Your Money and Our Community!)

Builders and contractors working in our Borough need to follow certain procedures to prevent stormwater pollution.  Please familiarize yourself with the information in this flyer before applying for a building permit or starting any construction work in our community.

Here are some additional web sites & resources: