Borough of Bechtelsville
18 Railroad St, PO Box 295, Bechtelsville, PA 19505 * Ph: 610-367-8100
Welcome to the official website of the Borough of Bechtelsville, Berks County, Pennsylvania. We hope that you find the information on this website informative.
Please visit the site often to obtain current information.
MS4 Stormwater Management Program
Due to requirements in the Federal Clean Water Act and the Act 167 Stormwater Management
Program, owners of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), like the Borough of
Bechtelsville, need to develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program. Part of this program is
to educate the public as to what storm water pollution is, and what we can do to prevent it.
A storm sewer system collects and carries rain and snow melt off of impermeable surfaces, such as roads and parking lots. The storm sewer system is composed of catch basins, pipes, swales, and assorted types of inlets and outlets. This water ends up in our streams, rivers and lakes, which are all part of our drinking water supply.
Some pollutants commonly found in storm sewers are:
- Trash or litter
- Leaked automotive fluids
- Sediments
- Leaves and other yard waste
- Animal waste
- Pesticides and other chemicals from lawns and farms
Trash, leaves, and sediments clog up storm sewer pipes ultimately causing floods in areas, and eventually litter our waterways. Automotive fluids, animal waste, and chemicals pollute water which can cause damage or death to watershed animals and plants.
Additional information can be found on the
Berks County Planning Commission Website
under MS4 Steering Committee or the
EPA's website.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
- Do not throw trash, grass clippings, leaves or other debris in the catch basins
- Maintain your vehicles to prevent fluid leaks
- Follow instructions on pesticide and chemical use, and dispose of them properly
- Contact the appropriate authority when you see clogged storm sewers, or water flow during dry conditions.
- See an illicit discharge into our storm sewer system? Fill out our Illicit Discharge-Citizen Complaint Form
OUTFALL INSPECTIONS
As a part of the Federal requirements, Borough employees will perform annual inspections of the stormwater outfalls throughout the Borough. You may see these employees taking notes at catch basins, in drainage easements, and along streams near your home. You can do your part by trying to keep drainage easements and outfall areas from having obstructions and by contacting the Borough office if you see polluted flow in the storm systems.