STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Stormwater management is a critical part of keeping our water safe and clean and curtailing flooding. It’s not just a job for the government or larger construction sites; we all can help keep the water clean by following rules, avoiding pollutants and making sure our water goes where it is supposed to when it rains.
In Bethel Park, we have a program called Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (also called MS4), which is permitted through the Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). That means our stormwater doesn’t go down the same drains as sewage from our bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
To help keep our system clean, we will post tips for residents on this page, as well as physical copies within the Municipality Bulletin Board. Some tips might not seem water related – such as limiting the use of fertilizers, or racking leaves, or even rock salt for icy sidewalks but when we look at the Stormwater: Where It Flows, Everything Goes we see that it is all connected.
Stormwater Management Ordinance:
In August 2018, Bethel Park approved an ordinance stating that, beginning in 2018, new impervious surfaces (i.e. pavement, concrete, gravel) constructed over 400 square feet must meet requirements to temporarily detain stormwater, restore natural infiltration, and mitigate downstream flooding. This ordinance was required by the DEP and similarly adopted by other MS4 communities throughout the state. For more information regarding stormwater permitting requirements, please contact our engineering department at 412-831-6800, ext. 302, 141, 241.
• Bethel Park Small Stormwater Management
• Small Stormwater Management Calculators
• Small Stormwater Management Infiltration Structure Diagram Example
MS4 Prohibited Discharge Ordinance:
Dumping into the storm sewer system is prohibited in Bethel Park. No person shall dump or discharge material into the MS4 or waterway that is not composed entirely of stormwater unless authorized by the Municipality or the state. If you see someone dumping into a sewer or waterway, please call the office at 412-831-6800.
Number of Bethel Park Structures:
- Retention Ponds: 17
- Rain Gardens and Underground Rain Tanks: 15
- Catch Basins, Inlets, and manholes: 4632
- MS4 Monitoring Points: 454
- Miles of stormwater lines: 96
Fun Facts About Stormwater:
- One inch of rain on an acre of land is equivalent to 27,154 gallons (113 tons) of water.
- MS4s were born out to the Clean Water Act
- MS4s are regulated by the NPDES permit program. The NPDES permit was enacted in 1972 as part of the Clean Water Act.
- The MS4 Program consists of six minimum control measures (MCMs) to minimize stormwater pollution:
- Public education and outreach
- Public involvement and participation
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination
- Construction site stormwater runoff control
- Post-construction stormwater management
- Pollution prevention and good housekeeping
Environmental Department:
Municipal Building
5100 West Library Road
Second Floor
Bethel Park, PA 15102
412-831-6800
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Matthew Simcik
Environmental Project Manager
412-831-6800, X241
