Stormwater Management

Stormwater Management and BMP Inspection Guidelines for Perkasie Borough

The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek flows through Perkasie Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is part of a larger water system that eventually connects to the Schuylkill River and Delaware River. The creek runs through Lenape Park, where people can enjoy activities like fishing, hiking, and watching nature, especially along the Perkasie segment of the Perkiomen Trail. However, heavy rain can sometimes cause flooding in the area.

Stormwater management is a key concern, as increasing impervious surfaces (roads, rooftops, parking lots) prevent water from naturally soaking into the ground, leading to runoff, erosion, and pollution. To mitigate these effects, Perkasie Borough follows PADEP and EPA regulations as part of the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) program, which aims to reduce stormwater pollution. Several Best Management Practices (BMPs) help manage stormwater, including rain gardens, bioswales, retention basins, permeable pavement, riparian buffers, and rain barrels. Some of these BMPs may be located on private property and it is the property owner’s responsibility to inspect, maintain and repair these systems.

Every property owner with an installed BMP must submit an inspection report annually, by February 1^st of each year. The type of maintenance and annual inspection report depends on the type of stormwater management system installed. Perkasie Borough is required to send all inspection reports to the PADEP to meet the MS4 permitting requirements.

This is a PA DEP BMP Manual that provides information on the types of stormwater management systems. Below you will find that information along with the required inspection report form.

Pervious pavement with Infiltration Bed Inspection Report Form

Infiltration Basin Inspection Report Form

Subsurface Infiltration Bed Inspection Report Form

Rain Garden/Bioretention Inspection Report Form

Dry well/Seepage Pit Inspection Report Form

Vegetated Swale Inspection Report Form

Vegetated Filter Strip Inspection Report Form

Dry extended Detention Basin Inspection Report Form

Water Quality Filters & Hydrodynamic Devices Inspection Report Form

Level Spreader Inspection Report Form

Completing this yearly inspection and providing the inspection reports is necessary to allow Perkasie Borough follow state and federal rules to control stormwater and keep the creek clean.

More Information

Please visit the following websites for more information on stormwater management:

Perkiomen Creek Communities Collaborate on Stormwater Solutions

If gold coins fell from the sky, would you collect them in trash cans and throw them away? Of course not! Yet, that’s essentially what happens when we treat stormwater like waste. While it can sometimes be a nuisance or even a hazard, stormwater is actually a valuable resource that deserves our care and attention.

In response, a group of municipalities within the Perkiomen Creek watershed, known as the Perkiomen MS4 Partnership, are working together to meet the state’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) regulations. Their mission is to assist communities and property managers in improving stormwater management practices and fostering greater respect for this crucial resource.

To learn more about these efforts, visit Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy.

How You Can Help

You can play an active role in protecting your local waterways! The Borough offers volunteer opportunities to prevent trash, debris, and other pollutants from entering the storm sewer system. One simple yet impactful way to contribute is by stenciling storm drains with awareness messages.

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact the Borough. For additional ways to get involved in your community, check out the following resources:

Notice a Stormwater Issue?

If you have questions or concerns about stormwater runoff, illicit discharges, or construction runoff, please contact the Borough office at (215) 257-5065

Stormwater Management