What is Stormwater Runoff?
Stormwater runoff is rain or melted snow that flows over driveways, parking lots, roads, sidewalks, streets and roofs or any impervious surface that does not allow the water to infiltrate into the soil. As water travels over these surfaces, it picks up dirt, trash, oil, grease, pesticides, fertilizers, pet wastes, and other pollutants and carries them all directly into our waterways.
Unlike wastewater (sewage), stormwater runoff in Derry Township does not flow to a treatment plant. It flows directly into waterways such as Spring Creek, Swatara Creek and eventually the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.
Educational and Public Information
The Stormwater Minute provides short weekly articles to Derry Township residents about stormwater-related topics.
Program Fee & Credit Policy
Stormwater Credits are provided as a means for customers to reduce the amount of their monthly fee.
File a Stormwater Appeal
If you’ve received your stormwater bill and you think there might be an error, you should file a Stormwater Adjustment Appeal.
Stakeholder Advisory Committee
Derry Township Municipal Authority is taking a proactive approach for addressing issues related to stormwater management.
Announcements and News
Stay up-to-date on all of the latest stormwater management news and announcements here.
Why is Stormwater so Important to Derry Township?
Urban stormwater runoff is the number one source of surface water pollution in the United States. Stormwater runoff can cause public safety hazards, health risks, and environmental threats. Unmanaged stormwater runoff has contributed to the deterioration of the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
Proper management of stormwater is essential in order to eliminate or at least reduce localized flooding during storm events, whether in open space or within Township roads and streets.
How Does Stormwater Affect Properties in Derry Township?
Stormwater runoff is that portion of rainfall and melted snow that does not soak into the ground (infiltrate) and instead flows off of impervious surfaces such as patios, driveways, yards, and parking lots and into the stormwater sewer system. Stormwater runoff ultimately enters Spring Creek or Swatara Creek. Stormwater picks up and conveys pollutants such as trash, cigarette butts, waste oil, household chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, pet wastes, septic tank overflows, and sediment into these creeks without any treatment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says this runoff and the “Nonpoint Source Pollution” (NPS) associated with it is the nation’s largest water quality problem. NPS pollutants can cause unsafe drinking water or swimming water, fish kills, and other environmental and human health problems. Recreational activities in Swatara Creek can potentially be rendered unsafe.
Improvements to the Township's Stormwater Management Program
Because of the vital environmental and regulatory importance of proper stormwater management, DTMA continues to advance its Stormwater Management Program in Derry Township for the purpose of:
- Protecting public health and safety
- Reducing flooding events and flooding impacts
- Insuring healthier habitats for Township creeks and streams
- Improving water quality
- Minimizing stream bank erosion
- Reducing long-term capital costs through regular and routine preventative and proactive maintenance
- Providing a dedicated stream of funding to properly operate, maintain and improve facilities in addition to complying with federal and state regulations
- Performing large-scale and small-scale infrastructure improvement projects
- Improving the Chesapeake Bay
In order to accomplish the above, Derry Township authorized the expansion of the purpose and powers of DTMA to include the ownership and operation of stormwater facilities located within the Township. This transition of the stormwater program from the Township to DTMA occurred in 2017 and provided for greater efficiencies in operation while eliminating competition with the other traditional services provided by the Township such as police, fire, public works and recreation. DTMA has the ability to provide a dedicated focus on stormwater management and to more equitably distribute the costs of stormwater service to properties within the Township based upon impervious surface and the amount of stormwater runoff from each property.
Reasons Why DTMA's Stormwater Program Will Benefit the Derry Township Community
Focus
DTMA will concentrate activities and funding on stormwater management, rather than all other responsibilities faced by the Township.
Funding
DTMA will use revenue collected from the Stormwater Management Fee exclusively for stormwater management, compliance with state and federal requirements, and to match grants.
Maintenance
Stormwater Management Fee revenue will be used to maintain the stormwater system, fund capital improvements, reduce water pollution, and meet state permit requirements.
Choices
The Stormwater Management Fee will be structured to fit the uniqueness of Derry Township and the various sectors in our community.
Green Infrastructure
Stormwater funds can be invested in rain gardens, tree planting, wetland construction, stream improvements, etc.
Health and Safety
DTMA’s efforts will serve to ensure that pollution is reduced and flooding is mitigated, allowing for safer vehicular and pedestrian travel, cleaner drinking water sources, and safer recreational activities.