Municipalities throughout the country are under a federal mandate requiring a stormwater management program for reducing pollution impacts from stormwater runoff. In 2003, Emsworth Borough was issued a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency. Implemented through the Clean Water Act, the permit’s numerous requirements are through six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs). Progress on the six MCMs is assessed primarily through MS4 Annual Reports submitted every September to the PADEP. These six MCMs consist of the following:

•	MCM #1 Public Education and Outreach-	Educate the public on stormwater pollution and prevention through various distribution methods.•	MCM #2 Public Involvement and Participation-	Promote environmental events for the public to participate.•	MCM #3 Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination-	Develop, implement, and enforce a program to detect and eliminate stormwater pollution.•	MCM #4 Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control-	Reduce stormwater pollution from construction sites within the Borough.•	MCM #5 Post Construction Stormwater Management-	Encourage activities such as low impact development, a post construction runoff ordinance, and operation and maintenance
        of stormwater best management practices. •	MCM #6 Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping  -	Educate and train municipal staff to prevent and reduce stormwater pollution from municipal buildings and operations.

Community stream cleanup event

As a Resident, How Can You Help?

Being informed on stormwater management is a great way to help the Borough meet regulatory compliance for its permit. Reading through the articles below can provide valuable knowledge on stormwater. By being an informed citizen, you can help mitigate or stop the harmful effects of stormwater pollution. Getting involved at environmental events (stream cleanups, recycling, composting, etc.) and reporting stormwater pollution to the Borough are ways that you can improve stormwater management within Emsworth Borough.

Example: Soaps, Grass Clippings, Pet Waste

Reporting Stormwater Pollution 

Stormwater pollution is a detrimental problem to our environment by degrading water quality in the streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Prohibited non-stormwater discharges that enter into the storm drain and result in pollution to our waterways are commonly referred to as illicit discharges. Examples of illicit discharges include fuel and gasoline, construction sediment runoff, soaps and detergents, paint, grass clippings, pet waste bags, wastewater, and many more. If you suspect any illicit discharges, please report to the Borough through 412-761-1161      or emsworthborough@comcast.net  

Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP)

As part of Emsworth’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit that was reissued by PADEP in March 2018, the Borough is required to prepare and implement a Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP). In September 2017, the Borough prepared and submitted to DEP the PRP plan for the Lowries Run watershed. The goal of the PRP is to reduce pollution caused by sediment and/or nutrients in impaired streams by constructing stormwater management projects that provide water quality benefits. Such projects include stream restoration, rain gardens, wet ponds, inlet filters, etc. The Borough is currently working towards the 10% sediment reduction goal by looking at potential stream restoration projects.