What happens to the water that runs off your roof, driveway, and street after a heavy rain in Chartiers Township? Most of it heads straight into storm drains and then into Chartiers Creek. If that water carries soil, chemicals, or trash, it can harm a watershed that already faces documented impairment. In this quick guide, you’ll learn what an MS4 is, what the rules mean for your property and projects, and how simple steps at home protect local streams. Let’s dive in.
What MS4 means in Chartiers Township
An MS4 is a municipal stormwater system of inlets, pipes, ditches, and outfalls that carries rain and snowmelt to local waterways. The MS4 program requires municipalities to cut pollution from stormwater to the maximum extent practicable. You can review the state’s overview of the six MS4 focus areas on the Minimum Control Measures page.
Chartiers Township drains to the Chartiers Creek watershed, where many stream miles are listed as impaired from issues like sediment and urban runoff. That is why local MS4 work often targets sediment and nutrient reductions. See the regional context in the Upper Chartiers Creek watershed plan.
The six MS4 basics you should know
MS4 permits require action across six areas. Here’s what they mean for you:
- Public education and outreach. Watch for township materials and events that teach ways to reduce runoff pollution.
- Public involvement. You can report problems, volunteer, or attend meetings on stormwater projects.
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE). Only stormwater belongs in storm drains. Report anything unusual entering drains.
- Construction site runoff control. Active sites must use erosion and sediment controls to keep soil on site.
- Post-construction stormwater management (PCSM). New development must include long-term best management practices (BMPs) and maintenance.
- Pollution prevention/good housekeeping. Municipal crews manage their facilities to limit stormwater pollution.
Learn more about how municipalities implement these measures on the DEP municipal stormwater page.
Project permits and local triggers
Planning to add a driveway, patio, room addition, or do grading? Two layers of rules can apply:
- State construction stormwater permits. In Pennsylvania, earth disturbance of one acre or more typically needs coverage under the construction general permit (PAG‑02) or an individual permit. PAG‑02 was reissued effective December 8, 2024. Confirm thresholds and Notice of Intent steps on the Construction Stormwater page.
- Township stormwater ordinance. Chartiers Township requires stormwater management for certain projects and prohibits non-stormwater discharges to the MS4 except for limited exemptions. Local thresholds can be stricter than the state’s permit trigger. Review the township’s stormwater code and contact the township early in your planning.
Tip: Always check both township rules and DEP requirements before you break ground. Local reviews may apply even when state permits do not.
Everyday homeowner actions that help
Small habits at home make a big difference for Chartiers Creek.
- Never dump anything into a storm drain. This includes paints, oil, yard waste, or pool water that is not properly dechlorinated.
- Pick up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash.
- Sweep fertilizer, soil, and de-icer off hard surfaces back onto lawns or into a container.
- Direct downspouts into lawns or gardens where allowed, not across sidewalks or driveways.
- Consider simple BMPs like rain barrels, rain gardens with native plants, permeable pavers, and vegetated buffers along streams. For how-to guides, see Penn State’s Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater.
For builders and contractors
If you disturb soil, plan for erosion control and long-term stormwater management from day one.
- Verify if your project needs state coverage under PAG‑02 or another permit, and submit the required NOI. Start with DEP’s Construction Stormwater guidance.
- Prepare an Erosion & Sediment Control plan and a PCSM plan that meet township code. Projects often require recorded maintenance agreements for BMPs as part of approval. Check the Chartiers Township stormwater code for standards and submittals.
Reporting, inspections, and updates
MS4 permittees document progress in Annual Status Reports, and DEP inspects for compliance. A past cycle used a July 1 to June 30 reporting year, with reports due in the fall; always confirm current timelines on DEP’s MCM program page.
DEP continues to manage reissuance of MS4 permits, and municipalities must follow the active permit language. For updates on PAG‑13 and related resources, monitor the municipal stormwater program page.
Get local help
- Report suspected illicit discharges, clogged inlets, or stormwater concerns through the township’s contact portal.
- Interested in volunteering or learning more? Regional partners like the Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed Association support restoration and outreach.
When you understand MS4 basics and follow local rules, you protect your property, your neighbors, and Chartiers Creek. If you’re planning a project, buying, or selling in Chartiers Township and want to factor stormwater into your move, reach out to MIKE and DEBBIE FRAGELLO for local guidance.
FAQs
MS4 rules in Chartiers Township: What is an illicit discharge?
- Any non-stormwater flow entering the storm system, such as dumping oil, paint, or yard waste; local code lists limited allowable discharges and prohibits the rest.
Construction in Chartiers: When do I need a DEP stormwater permit?
- State coverage typically applies at one acre or more of earth disturbance, but smaller projects may still face local stormwater requirements, so check both before work.
Homeowner BMPs in Chartiers: Do rain barrels and rain gardens help?
- Yes; they capture and infiltrate roof runoff, reduce peak flows, and filter pollutants when properly installed and maintained.
Selling a home in Chartiers: Should I check for stormwater maintenance agreements?
- Yes; if your property has a BMP installed through prior approvals, confirm any recorded maintenance responsibilities and keep documentation for buyers.
Reporting issues in Chartiers: Who do I call about a cloudy discharge in a creek?
- Contact the township through its online portal and, if it appears harmful, report it to DEP using state reporting channels.
