Plan In Place to Protect Crum Creek Watershed

Street flooding from excessive stormwater runoff can cause traffic hazards and lead to erosion of streams and infrastructure.

In an effort to quell and prevent such issues, municipalities across Delaware and Chester counties will soon be adopting ordinances to meet state stormwater management requirements in areas near Crum Creek.

Covering most urban areas of Delaware County, the plan gives individual municipalities power to regulate stormwater runoff through an ordinance.

Karen L. Holm, Manager of Environmental Planning for Delaware County, outlined the Crum Creek watershed stormwater management plan during a public hearing Aug. 11. Delaware County Council approved the plan via resolution during its meeting Sept. 20. Chester County Council adopted the plan Sept. 29.

The next step is Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approval, then individual municipalities will follow suit and adopt an ordinance consistent with the established planning goals. Municipalities are permitted to include additional provisions if so desired, Holmes said.

“The new plan won’t allow stormwater issues to get worse,” said Jennifer Kehler, area water program specialist with the DEP, watershed management expert and self-proclaimed "guru."

She said consistency with the plan will benefit municipalities through improved water quality, reduced flooding and help meet state and federal requirements. 

Act 167 is a state law that authorizes a comprehensive, local administration of a stormwater management program consistent with sound water and land use practices.

New development must either meet the one-acre earth disturbance threshold for an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit or get a municipal permit, Kehler said.

If property is larger than one acre, it requires a state DEP permit rather than a municipal permit.

The NPDES, effective since 1972 through the Clean Water Act, requires towns to maintain and improve water quality in storm sewers.

Kehler said many older systems, like those found in Philadelphia, often have combined sanitary sewers and storm sewers. She said several suburban systems are likely combined as well.

The new Crum Creek watershed stormwater management plan focuses on a natural drainage system to impose minimal disruption while mitigating runoff effects.