Stormwater/Flooding

If you have a stormwater issue, please Let me know.

When it rains, many of our residences and businesses flood. Even worse, some experience sewage backups into their basements.

Stormwater flooding problems have been in the making for many decades. At the time when many of our homes were built, the state did not permit municipalities to regulate stormwater management activities. Today, however, all new construction activities require a storm-management plan to be submitted and reviewed by the township engineer. In addition, the Planning Commission routinely works with developers to do better than the required zero-incremental impact.

The stormwater problems of today are primarily from development that occurred before 1979.

Sewer Backups

Sewer backups are a major concern and challenge. There are homes that currently suffer from sewage backup during major storm events. In a perfect world, the sewer system would be entirely unaffected by storms, as it is an entirely separate system from our stormwater system. However, it can be compromised in three important ways:

Problem	Action Item
The sanitary sewer pipes are allowing stormwater to enter the system (called I&I, or Inflow and Infiltration). This can be from compromised or improperly installed joints and from cracks in the pipe from erosion or tree roots.	We are currently investigating our sewer lines for compromises by testing flows at manhole locations, identifying runs of pipe where we suspect a problem, and then running a small camera through the system looking for compromises to the system. This is an ongoing project begun earlier this year.
Most houses have vents in their front yards that stick up from the ground. The drain-waste-vent, among other functions, helps to regulate the air pressure in the system. During a storm, if the height of the vent is exceeded, many gallons of stormwater directly enter the sanitary system.	We are working on the logistics of identifying all locations in the town where the vents are a cause of problems and requesting that homeowners work with township staff to install caps on their vents that will permit airflow but stop the intake of stormwater.
It is estimated that between 10% and 25% of homes that have installed sump pumps in their basements discharge the water directly into the sewer system. This is an illegal practice that can result in neighbors getting sewage backing up into their basements.	As ownership of houses changes, we require the representative agent to remedy any occurrences of sump pumps discharging into the sewer system. We are investigating ways to expedite this process and correct the situation throughout the township.

Stormwater

Our greatest concern is for those homes whose living space gets flooded during storm events. Next are those who suffer basement flooding. Finally, those whose yards pool during these events.

When there is a major storm event, those neighborhoods at the base of a watershed are often overwhelmed with flooding, with torrents running down their streets. Cars parked on these streets are sometimes damaged, and the water sometimes enters residents' basements and living spaces.

Oftentimes the water does not come from the streets but through backyards, down driveways, and from neighboring properties. If the water table is saturated, then water can enter the house from beneath ground. Each case is unique and requires study to help address the problem.

Some people do not get water into their houses, but get pooling in their backyards. This is viewed as a problem to be solved, but is in fact a benefit. If every property throughout a watershed would create a rain garden to retain just a portion of the water that falls on their property, the result would have a dramatic impact on all residents downstream from them.

What Has the Township Done?

In 1997, the Township created a Stormwater Comprehensive Plan, with a long list of recommended actions. Every recommendation in that study was completed, with one small exception that is in the current action list to be completed this year. In 2010, the Township hosted a public session where all residents with continuing flooding problems submitted reports. The result was a new shorter list of action steps that are currently underway. See Stormwater Projects in Springfield for a detailed history, and Recent Township Stormwater Efforts.

Your Responsibility

If you are planning to construct an addition or patio, erect a shed, or even widen your driveway, and your project creates 200 square feet or more of new impervious surface, you are now required to provide stormwater controls equal to or better than the runoff for the 100-year storm. Projects that create less than 200 square feet of new impervious surface are exempt from the requirements. Please contact the Code Enforcement Department at 215-836-7600 for a copy of the township’s stormwater management regulations (Ordinance No. 825) prior to finalizing your construction project and budget.

To prevent sewage from backing up into your house, have a plumber install a backflow preventer and have it inspected periodically. These are not perfect solutions, as sometimes they do get clogged with toilet paper, etc., but when operating properly, they can prevent backflow of sewage from basement toilets and basins. Note, it is recommended that below-grade toilets and basins be avoided whenever possible.

Despite the township’s best efforts to prevent sanitary sewer back-ups, illegal sump pump connections and other sources of inflow sometimes result in sanitary waste backing up into private residences at their lowest point of entry. Most back-ups occur during severe rain events and are first noticed in utility washtub drains or basement lavatories. A backflow prevention device is an effective way to prevent these back-ups from occurring. Backflow devices can be installed at individual fixtures or at the main house drain. They can also be activated manually or automatically (each has its own advantages and disadvantages). If you are unsure which type is the best for your home, please contact your plumber to obtain his or her advice. Please note that backflow prevention devices must be installed by a registered plumber and a permit is required. It is also a good idea to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if your property is insured against damages resulting from a sanitary sewer back up. Most residents will be surprised to learn that a standard homeowner’s policy does not cover damages that originate from sewage back ups.

Stormwater Runoff and the Environment

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces such as streets, sidewalks and driveways prevent runoff from soaking into the ground. Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into lakes, streams and other natural waterways we use for swimming, fishing and drinking water.

Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and humans:

• Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow.
• Excess nutrients from lawn fertilizer can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that dissolves oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can not exist without adequate oxygen.
• Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards.
• Debris like cigarette butts, plastic bags, six-pack rings and bottle caps can wash into waterways and choke, suffocate and disable aquatic life like fish, turtles and birds.
• Household waste like paint and solvents, and automotive fluids like motor oil and antifreeze, can poison aquatic life. Animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish or shellfish.
• Polluted stormwater can affect drinking water sources, which, in turn can affect human health and increase the cost of providing safe drinking water.

If you are interested in learning more about the effects of storm water on our environment, please visit the DEP website at dep.state.pa.us.

Reference: Some information from Springfield Township Newsletter (Fall-Winter 2011).