Under the 1987 Clean Water Act Amendments, the U.S. EPA developed new stormwater regulations to address storm water that might impact water quality. These new regulations are set up in two Phases depending upon population. Phase I, which is already instituted, affected Allentown and Philadelphia and now U.S. EPA, through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is enforcing the Phase II portion of the regulation. There are about 1,000 municipalities in Pennsylvania that fall under the Phase II requirements. Those municipalities that are located within an "urbanized area" as defined by the 1990 Census and the 2000 Census were required to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge stormwater from their municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4s). Following is a list of municipalities and public entities in Berks County that are affected.

To meet the new requirements each municipality submitted a permit application to DEP on March 10, 2003. The permit period runs for five (5) years. The permit application is basically an action plan for the municipality to institute six requirements called minimum control measures (mcm): 1. Public Education, 2. Public Participation, 3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, 4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control, 5. Post-Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment, and 6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations Maintenance. The municipality will have five years to put these protocols into effect, however certain protocols must be completed earlier than others. Many of these six components are directly related to the PA Act 167 Stormwater Management Planning Program In Berks County there are 4 plans completed, 3 plans in progress, and 2 plan updates underway.  At this time those municipalities that are within the Little Lehigh Creek, Sacony Creek, Tulpehocken Creek and Cocalico Creek Watersheds have approved Act 167 Plans. Act 167 Plans have also been completed for the Maiden Creek, Schuylkill River and the Swamp Creek Watersheds along with updates to the Sacony and Little Lehigh Creek Watersheds.

There are a number of MS4 Materials that are found on our website that you may use to increase your knowledge of storm water issues. Please feel free to use the link to DEP’s Stormwater Management Program website also for more information. If you have any questions or would like further information please feel free to call us at 610-478-6300.