Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping
Preventing pollutants from entering waterways is significantly more cost-effective than restoring a polluted waterway. For this reason, Doylestown Township places a strong emphasis on proactive pollution prevention. Many of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) outlined under the minimum control measures are designed to stop pollutants from interacting with stormwater, particularly in the pollution prevention category.
Municipal activities—such as winter road maintenance, minor road repairs, infrastructure projects, vehicle and equipment maintenance, landscaping, park upkeep, and building maintenance—can unintentionally introduce pollutants into the township’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System). These pollutants are eventually carried to local waterbodies. Additionally, municipal facilities may contribute to stormwater pollution if BMPs are not properly implemented to manage spills, waste, and non-stormwater discharges.
Regular cleaning of storm drains and implementing preventative measures help reduce the risk of pollutants entering nearby waterways. Doylestown Township ensures that staff are well-trained to minimize stormwater pollution through effective maintenance of the MS4 system and environmentally responsible municipal operations.
The Township’s primary strategies include:
- Establishing inspection and maintenance schedules for stormwater BMPs.
- Implementing BMPs to manage pollutants from transportation infrastructure, maintenance areas, storage yards, and sand/salt storage facilities.
- Creating procedures for the proper disposal of pollutants removed from the MS4 system.
- Identifying opportunities to incorporate water quality controls into flood management and infrastructure projects.
- Developing a robust training program for municipal staff involved in activities that could contribute to stormwater pollution.
- Adopting standard operating procedures that incorporate BMPs into everyday municipal tasks.