Page 3 - Spring Garden Township - Spring-Summer 2021
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PROTECT OUR WATER                                                   FIREWORKS


        Stormwater runoff starts on your roof, lawn, and driveway, as        Although the state legislature
        well as on local roads and business parking lots. From there it      changed the PA Fireworks Law in
        enters storm drains that ultimately discharge into our streams       2017, it does not permit use in
        and creeks. Along the way to the streams, stormwater runoff          residential neighborhoods, use by
        can pick up pollutants and debris, or debris can clog the            those under the age of 18 and
        system and cause stormwater runoff to pond up and cause              absolutely prohibits fireworks that
        flooding problems. The pollutants and debris can affect the          are classified as Display Fireworks
        quality of the water, including:                                     (Consumer fireworks are labeled as
                                                                             Class C or Consumer grade). Further
        • Increased cost in treating drinking water                          prohibitions under the current
                                                                             fireworks law include:
        • Algal blooms that can harm aquatic wildlife
                                                                                    They cannot be discharged
        • Chemical pollutants that kill plants and animals
                                                                                  within 150 feet of occupied
        • Unsightly streams with unpleasant odors                                 structures, whether or not a
                                                                                  person is actually present
        • Expensive fines from the DEP and the EPA to fix the problems
                                                                                    They cannot be ignited/
        Spring Garden Township was issued a Municipal Separate                    discharged on a public/private
        Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit from DEP that requires us                 property without express
        to implement control measures to protect water quality and                permission of the property
        reduce the potential for the previously listed problems. An MS4           owner
        is made up of a series of inlets/storm drains, storm sewer pipes,
        swales, and outfalls that collect and convey stormwater.                    They cannot be discharged
        Stormwater that exits the storm sewer system will most likely             from or within a motor vehicle
        end up in local streams.                                                  or building
                        It is important to keep our storm inlets, drains,           They cannot be discharged
                        basins, and swales free of debris and with                toward a motor vehicle or
                        stable vegetation to help allow the entire                building
                        system to function appropriately. Dumping or                They cannot be discharged
                        storing landscape debris (grass clippings,                while under the influence of
                        leaves, soil/dirt, etc.) or hazardous materials           alcohol, a controlled substance,
                        (oils, grease, etc.) in and around swales and
        inlet structures is not allowed. Pet waste should be cleaned up           or another drug
        promptly. Intermingling of these materials with stormwater can       Discharges in residential
        generate polluted discharges or result in an illicit discharge.      developments are absolutely
                                                                             prohibited and punishable by fines.
        If you see something suspicious
        (soapy suds or unusually colored                                     We also encourage residents to be
        water flowing into or within a                                       mindful of potential noise ordinance
        local waterway or in a                                               violations associated with the
        stormwater structure, someone                                        discharge of consumer fireworks.
        dumping material like leaves,
        grass clippings, trash, or liquids                                   We understand that fireworks are fun
        near or in a stormwater structure                                    and appealing, but we urge all
        or into a local waterway, etc.),                                     residents to consider the inherent
        please call Spring Garden                                            danger and unintended consequences
        Township.  Check out this                                            of improper use of fireworks and leave
        awesome guide:  https://www.lititzborough.org/sites/g/files/         the fireworks to the professionals to
        vyhlif801/f/uploads/homeowners_bmp_om_guide_-_                       ensure your celebrations are not
        draft_10_6_17_reduced.pdf.                                           marred by mishaps or visits from the
                                                                             authorities. Please visit www.psp.pa.
                                                                             gov/public-safety/pages/fireworks-
                                                                             safety.aspx for Fireworks FAQ.


          www.springgardentwp.org                                                   Spring/Summer 2021  |  page 3
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