Understanding Storm Water Pollution

Identifying Storm Water Pollution

Manor Township’s Illicit Discharge Informational Brochure

Preventing Storm Water Pollution

Here are some important measures you can take to help prevent storm water pollution:

Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as used oil, cleaning supplies and paint. Never pour them down any part of the storm sewer system and report anyone who does.
Be cautious with pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides and utilize them properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff.
Look for signs of soil, debris, and/or chemicals leaving construction sites via storm water runoff or by being tracked on to roads by construction vehicles.
Install innovative storm water practices on residential property, such a rain barrels or rain gardens, that capture storm water and keep it on site instead of letting it drain away into the storm sewer system. Check out this link for the Homeowners Guide to Storm Water.
Implement indoor storage measures for materials that could potentially pollute storm water and use proper containers (that do not rust or leak) for any outdoor storage to eliminate exposure of materials to storm water.
Report any discharges from a storm water outfall location during times of dry weather.
Pick up after pets and dispose of their waste properly. No matter where pets make a mess, in a backyard or at the park, storm water runoff can carry pet waste from land to the storm sewer system, and ultimately to a stream.
Properly dispose of swimming pool water by draining the water into the sanitary sewer system. Pool water should not be drained into any storm water facility.

Water Cycle Terms

Learn more about Water Cycle Terms

Healthy Lawns = Healthy Water

Keeping your lawn healthy is very important to keeping the Chesapeake Bay Watershed clean. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is committed to saving this national treasure and offers many suggestions on what you can do to help. Read their Guide to Effective Lawn Care to learn more.

If you would like to make a formal complaint about storm water pollution, please complete this form and fax it to 717-397-7913, email or mail to Manor Township, 950 West Fairway Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603.