Click on the links below to learn more: What is stormwater and what are the issues? How does the Township Address the Issues? Township Ordinances that limit stormwater pollution How can and should residents participate Learn even more:

What is stormwater Water from rain and melting snow that flows over lawns, parking lots, streets and farm fields is known as stormwater. This water, all called runoff, travels along gutters, into catch basins and through storm drain pipes and ditches, and eventually discharges into our streams and rivers untreated.

Did you know? Sanitary sewer and storm drains are separate Sanitary sewer goes to treatment Storm drains (catch basins) discharge directly into surface water bodies. ONLY RAIN SHOULD GO DOWN THE DRAIN

Wetlands act as a natural buffer to stormwater runoff intensity: they dampen the runoff velocity and have a sponge-like capacity Nature’s stormwater mitigation Wetlands act as a water quality filter for dissolved and suspended contaminants as the water flows through the dense vegetation and rich organic sediment. Natural setting is the result of 100,000s of years of incremental change. Assunpink River at Tatum park.

It is all relative The natural drainage patterns (landscape) and surface water ecosystems evolved into an equilibrium over 100,000s of years (geologic time). Anthropogenic changes over 10s of years alter the natural balance: –Impervious surfaces = more runoff overwhelms nature’s ability to drain. Leads to erosion and flooding. –Pollution: nutrients, bacteria, toxic substances and heat overwhelm nature’s ability to attenuate. Result: Unmanaged stormwater runoff can cause serious damage to streams, lakes and estuaries, particularly where land uses change from rural to urban activities (key: relative change from ‘natural’ conditions).

Scope of the Problem Stormwater/nonpoint-sources are the largest remaining major source of pollutants in our waters. ~60% of our water pollution problems are from stormwater runoff. Called nonpoint sources because in general the sources are spread out over a large area and they accumulate in the waterways. This form of pollution is caused 100% by people, and can be minimized with awareness and participation.

How the Township addresses the issues Comply with federal and state requirements (maintain a stormwater discharge permit). Planning and Zoning –Master Land Use Plan –Maintain an Environmental Resource Inventory Municipal Ordinances (click here to see the ordinances)click here to see the ordinances

Township Planning Master Land Use Plan –Where to develop, where to preserve (zoning) –Ensure sustainable development –A copy is available at the Township library Environmental Resource Inventory –Maintain a baseline inventory –Geology, hydrology, biology, ecology, as well as historical resources. –the foundation of natural resource-based planning. –A copy is available electronically (LINK) or at the Township library.

What can residents do Follow Township stormwater ordinances (click here to read the ordinances)click here to read the ordinances Careful fertilizer / pesticide use (keep them on the lawn where they belong) Water management on property, e.g., rain barrel and rain garden Maintain septic systems

Ordinances related to minimizing stormwater pollution NJDEP Ordinance Category Township Ordinance in place Description Pet Waste Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance Signage, fines for improper waste disposal, education distributed with pet license. Minimize pathogen and nutrient loading in waterways. Litter Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance Signage, receptacles provided in public places, fines for littering. Keep litter out of the waterways. Improper Waste Disposal Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance prohibit the improper spilling, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater in to storm drain. Allows: residential car washing water, and residential swimming pool discharges; Wildlife feeding Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance prohibits the feeding in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Municipality of any wildlife. Can lead to unnatural numbers causing erosion, nutrient overload and disease. Yard waste Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance collection program in place. Limit organic material that makes it to waterways. Illicit connection Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance No direct discharge of wastewater to storm drains. FertilizerNo New Jersey has a new fertilizer law: Keep artificial nutrients out of the waterways. Private storm drain inlet retrofitting Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance e.g., NJDOT bicycle safe grate style and a curb opening with a clear space no bigger than two inches across the smallest dimension to keep debris from entering system refuse containers/dumpsters Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance Enforce proper use and maintenance of refuse containers. Stormwater Management Best Management Practice Yes (click here to read ordinance)click here to read ordinance Applies to development approvals for subdivisions and site plans to address stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment projects. Intended to minimize stormwater flow and pollution.