Stormwater Management

*For Information regarding the Borough's Stormwater Fee, please 

The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System

Baldwin Borough's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (commonly referred to as the MS4) is a network of inlets, pipes, swales, outlets, and other features; all designed to control runoff from public streets, sidewalks, and other impervious areas. The storm sewer system plays an important role in keeping roads free of flowing or ponding water and ice, making it a key piece of public infrastructure.

Stormwater originates from rainfall and other precipitation that runs off of surfaces all over the Borough - rooftops, streets, construction sites, lawns, fields, etc. Stormwater makes its way either along the surface or soaks into the ground. The surface water flows into swales, storm drains, and other natural water courses. As this water moved toward the streams and rivers, it can pick up things on the ground, such as pollutants, sediment, leaves, and trash.

For a quick and clear explanation of storm water, watch this video created by Stormwater PA.


Minimum Control Measures (MCMs)

The Borough is part of a statewide campaign to combat storm sewer pollution. The Pennsylvania Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) has developed the following six guidelines (Minimum Control Measures) for program development in order to help communities like us maintain a complete storm water program.

  • Public education & outreach
  • Public participation & involvement
  • Illicit discharge detection & elimination
  • Construction site runoff control
  • Post-construction storm water management in new development & redevelopment
  • Pollution prevention & good housekeeping for municipal operations & maintenance


What Residents Can Do Now

The goals of the MS4 program and the Borough are to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the Borough, to protect water quality, and to satisfy requirements of the Clean Water Act. Get involved.

Storm water from you home and from the public streets goes into a storm sewer, which goes directly into streams and rivers. This water is not cleaned in any way and does not go to the waste water treatment plant. The Borough needs all residents to assist us in keeping our storm water and storm water system clean by doing the following:

  • Dispose of water properly
  • Clean up after your pets
  • Wash your vehicles on a lawn or other unpaved surface
  • Use fertilizers properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff
  • Store materials that could pollute storm water indoors

Also, please monitor storm water inlets near your property. No one should dump anything into the storm sewer system. If you see someone dumping, please call the Borough at 412-882-9600 x1713 or submit report online. "Illicit" discharges include:

  • Sediment leaving a construction site in storm water
  • Spills (Chemical, Gas, Oil)
  • Illegal dumping activity into streams or storm sewers (PLEASE CALL 911 FIRST)
  • Dry weather flows from outfall pipes into streams (72 hours after a rain storm)

Resources

Use the resources below to educate yourself and your neighborhood about storm water management.

Specialty Recycling Program 
When It Rains, It Drains Brochure
Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater
Stormwater Activity Booklet for Kids
Stormwater Placemat & Crossword Puzzle
Stormwater Bookmark
Stormwater Sticker Template
EPA Stormwater Management Website
PA DEP MS4 Website
ALCOSAN 2019 Clean Water Plan

Ordinances


The two ordinances below, passed in 2014, set forth how the Borough's MS4 system is operated and the enforcement mechanisms to prevent illicit discharges.

MS4 Prohibited Discharge Ordinance
Stormwater Management Ordinance