East Manchester Township York, Pennsylvania

5080 North Sherman St Ext.
Mount Wolf, PA 17347
Phone: 717-266-4279 | Fax: 717-266-0429
Hours: Mon - Fri (8am - 4pm)

Storm Water Management

Storm water contacts

Erosion and Sediment Control – 717-840-7430
If the stormwater is “cloudy” or “dirty” and is originating from an area of active earth disturbance, you will receive the quickest response by calling the York County Conservation District at 717-840-7430. The District is the Township’s direct investigator of all erosion and sediment control concerns. Please provide your name, address, telephone number, where you may be contacted, and the specific location of the origin of the “cloudy” runoff.

Illicit Discharge – 717-266-4279
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules and regulations require that East Manchester Township investigate any potential illicit discharges into our streams and waterways, including storm sewer, drainage channels and other events that may adversely affect water quality.

If you notice any of the following please notify the Township by calling 717-266-4279 and/or call 911;

  • Dumping, spills or other illicit (illegal) discharge into storm sewers or streams.
  • Sediment leaving a construction site during a rain event. (See Erosion and Sediment Control above)
  • Water Main Breaks
  • Fish or wildlife kills
  • Runoff from storm sewer piping into streams during dry weather. (Dry weather flows is water flowing out of a pipe after the
  • ainfall has been completed for over 72 hours or more).

Stormwater Management – 717-266-4279
Stormwater runoff that is “clear” where active earth disturbance is not occurring, you will receive the quickest response by calling East Manchester Township at 717-266-4279. Please provide your name, address, telephone number, and the specific location of the origin of the “clear” runoff. The Township will investigate the concern. For more stormwater management contacts see the engineering department.


What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt.  The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call storm sewers.  These are the drains you see at street corners or at low points on the sides of streets.  Collectively, the draining water is called storm water runoff.

 Why is Stormwater “Good Rain Gone Wrong”?

Storm water becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt an other pollutants as it flows or when it causes flooding and erosion of stream banks.  Storm water travels through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up storm sewer systems.  It eventually flows directly to a lake, river stream, wetland, or coastal water.  All of the pollutants storm water carries along the way empty into our waters, also, because storm water does not get treated!

  • Vehicles drip fluids (oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluids, etc.) onto paved areas when stormwater runoff carries them through our storm drains and into our water.
  • Chemicals used to grow and maintain beautiful lawns and gardens, if not used properly, can run off into the storm drains when it rains or when we water our lawns and gardens.
  • Waste from chemicals and materials used in construction can wash into the storm sewer system when it rains.  Soil that erodes from construction sites causes environmental degradation, including harming fish and shellfish populations that are important for recreation and our economy.
  • Pet wastes left on the ground get carried away by stormwater, contributing harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses to our water.

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 storm water 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 report anyone who does.
  • Use pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff.
  • Look for signs of soil and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals, leaving construction sites in storm water runoff or tracked into roads by construction vehicles.  Report poorly managed construction sites that could impact storm water runoff to your community.
  • Install innovative storm water practices on residential property, such as rain barrels or rain gardens, that capture storm water and keep it on site instead of letting it drain away into the storm sewer system.
  • Report any discharges from storm water outfalls during times of dry weather – a sign that there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.
  • Pick up after pets and dispose of their waste properly.  No matter where pets make a mess – in a backyard or at the park – storm water runoff can carry pet waste from the land to the storm sewer system to a stream.
  • Store materials that could pollute storm water indoors and use containers for outdoor storage that do not rust or leak to eliminate exposure of materials to storm water.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (PAG-13) for discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)

East Manchester Township seeks to comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) requirements as an owner of a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) that discharges to the surface waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To comply, the Township followed the PA DEP’s minimum control measure 6 protocols which included: Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater impacts, Public Involvement/Participation, Illicit Discharge detection and Elimination, Site Construction Runoff Control, Post Construction Management and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations.

The Township joined a coalition of municipalities known as the York County Chesapeake Bay Pollution Reduction Plan within York County and developed and submitted a Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Discharge Reduction Plan to PA DEP for approval. This plan shall construct BMP’s that will reduce pollutant loads to the bay within a scheduled amount of time.
For more information on Stormwater Management, please visit the PA DEP website:
https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/CleanWater/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/default.aspx

Remember when fertilizing your lawn that excess fertilizers can be washed into the nearest stream or storm sewer system and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. These excess fertilizers can cause large algae blooms, which use up a lot of oxygen. This oxygen is essential for the fish and other aquatic life to live in the bay. If you fertilize, please follow directions and use sparingly.
For more information on the Chesapeake Bay Program:
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-chesapeake-bay-program-office
View After the Storm Video on YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fIXhs6DzIE


Helpful Links: