Stormwater Management Program

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the rain and melted snow that flows over streets, sidewalks, parking lots, rooftops, and other hard surfaces instead of soaking into the ground. In natural settings, much of this water would be absorbed by soil and plants. However, in developed areas, stormwater runs off these surfaces and is carried into storm drains, streets, and local streams. Runoff can pick up pollutants along the way, which may flow into our local waterways. Managing stormwater is critical to preventing flooding, protecting water quality, and preserving the health of our local waterways, including the Spring Creek Watershed.

The Borough's Commitment

State College Borough is dedicated to protecting the health of local waterways and reducing pollution from stormwater runoff through our Stormwater Management Program. This program operates under a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The Borough Stormwater Management Program is guided by our NPDES Permit #PAI134804.

The MS4 Permit is made up of six (6) Minimum Control Measures (MCM’s). These MCM’s help the Borough comply with its MS4 permit and protect the health of local waterways. 

Minimum Control Measures (MCMs)

Public Education and Outreach: Inform and educate residents, businesses, and institutions about stormwater impacts and ways to reduce pollution.
Public Involvement and Participation: Provide opportunities for the community to engage in stormwater planning and stewardship.
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: Locate and eliminate improper connections and discharges into the storm sewer system.
Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control: Reduce pollution from construction activities through erosion and sediment control requirements.
Post-Construction Stormwater Management: Ensure that long-term stormwater controls are in place and maintained for new projects.
Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping: Reduce pollution from municipal activities through employee training and improved practices.

Key Partners in Stormwater Management

Centre County Conservation District (CCCD)

State College Borough, in meeting its permit requirements, particularly focuses on the following Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) 4 & 5:

The CCCD administers MCM #4, Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP). This program regulates earth disturbance activities, ensuring that construction sites implement appropriate best management practices (BMPs) to prevent sediment and other pollutants from entering the storm sewer system. 

In collaboration with PaDEP, the CCCD is involved in administering MCM #5, post-construction stormwater management. This includes ensuring that new and redevelopment projects incorporate suitable BMPs to manage stormwater runoff effectively. The CCCD's oversight helps guarantee that these BMPs are properly maintained and function as intended to minimize the impact on local waterways.

Clearwater Conservancy

The Clearwater Conservancy contributes to the Borough meeting all six of the MCM’s. ClearWater conducts community workshops, such as rain barrel installation, hosts native garden tours, and provides valuable educational materials and resources to residents on stormwater management practices, which are all part of MCM#1. 

The Conservancy helps meet MCM #2 requirement by organizing the annual Watershed Cleanup Day, mobilizing volunteers to remove litter and debris from streams and open spaces, thereby reducing pollutants entering the storm sewer system. They also engage community members in various conservation projects, fostering a sense of stewardship for local water resources.

Clearwater also helps MCM #3 by providing educational outreach, helping inform the public about identifying and reporting illicit discharges, and supporting municipal efforts to detect and eliminate unauthorized pollutants entering the stormwater system.

While primarily the responsibility of municipal governments, ClearWater's restoration projects, such as riparian buffer installations, complement  MCMs #4 & 5 by stabilizing stream banks and reducing erosion and sedimentation from construction sites.

ClearWater's initiatives help meet MCM #6 by promoting the use of rain barrels and native plantings, assisting in reducing the amount of polluted runoff from residential areas, aligning with the goals of pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices.

By collaborating closely with local municipalities and engaging in the community, ClearWater Conservancy significantly contributes to the region's compliance with MS4 permit requirements, enhancing the health and sustainability of the Spring Creek Watershed.

Stormwater Program Resources

Below are some helpful tools and documents that support State College Borough’s Stormwater Management Program: