Springfield Township
As part of regular pool maintenance, residents and pool managers need to be aware of ways to minimize the hazardous impact pool water, which contains chemicals, has on the environment.
By following these simple steps, you help ensure that your pool will not only provide months of summer fun, but also reduce the number of pollutants it could add to our precious natural water supplies. Any questions, please call Springfield Township at 610-544-1300.
New stormwater regulations from Pennsylvania’s DEP require that your municipality investigate more thoroughly potential illicit discharges (pollutants) into our streams. You can help by promptly reporting the following events to the authorities listed in the hotline box below. The township’s website also contains a form for reporting these conditions (put link here). Here are some of the conditions that you should report:
Photos and exact locations are very helpful!
Residents may be the first to notice “illicit” discharges flowing into storm sewers or coming out of storm sewer outfall pipes – all of which ends up in our streams.
Springfield Township and Pennsylvania Stormwater Regulations require a thorough investigation of all potentially illegal discharges (pollutants) into our streams.
Some examples are:
Water pollution events should not be reported through the DEP website, you can refer to the website for background information on DEP’s emergency response program and procedures from the website ie. www.dep.state.pa.us, select Environmental Complaints, then Southeast Region.
| Company | Telephone | Best Time to Call |
|---|---|---|
| DEP 24-Hour Water Quality Hotline | 484-250-5900 | Anytime, including evenings and weekends |
| DEP Water Quality Complaints | 484-250-5991 | Weekdays 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Delaware Co. Conservation District | 810-892-9484 | When noticing off-site discharge of sediment, erosion, & other improper controls during construction. Send photo, full address, and directions |
| Chester Co. Conservation District | 610-925-4920 | When noticing off-site discharge of sediment, erosion, & other improper controls during construction. Send photo, full address, and directions |
| Springfield Township | 610-544-1300 | When noticing clogged or leaking sanitary sewer lines; sewage smell in creek; illegal discharges into creeks or storm drains (After hours, call 911). Call the township if you notice dry weather outfall flows. |
| PA Fish and Boat Commission | 717-626-0228 | Available 24 hours |
| Chester Water Authority | 610-876-8181 | If you notice broken water mains. Available 24 hours. |
| Aqua Pennsylvania | 610-525-1402 | If you notice broken water mains. Available 24 hours. |
Report violations or problems to the authorities listed below:
In the event of a sanitary sewer backup at your property, please call the Township Office first. The administration office hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Monday through Friday. After those hours, call 911 and a township highway crew will be dispatched to check the line. Although the Township conscientiously maintains its sewer system, periodic backups into homes or businesses inevitably occur. In most cases, the Township’s responsibility ends when the line is cleared and the problem causing the blockage as been addressed. Responsibility for cleanup and damage to the premises rests with the resident. The Township will not reimburse a property owner for plumbing fees. Most homeowners insurance policies have optional riders for sewer backups that, if purchased will provide coverage.
Citizens are encouraged to be on the lookout for illicit (illegal) discharges to our creeks and encouraged to call 911 or the Hotline numbers to report them. Remember all of our storm drains lead to creeks, and there should be only rain going into these drain. Over the past four months, residents in your watersheds have reported the follow-up illicit discharges and practices which can foul our creeks and drinking water: leaking sanitary sewer manhole covers (especially during dry weather), soapy or power washing water entering storm drains, strong sewage odors, odors of gasoline, swimming pool discharges into streets, broken water mains, drainage of sump pumps directly into creeks, dumping of trash and yard waste near creeks, running hoses into creeks or storm drains, and fish kills, by calling these numbers. Please save them for future reference.
Your efforts are key to protecting clean water!
Let’s “Pick it Up” for Safer Recreation and Cleaner Water
Pet waste is a source of many harmful microorganisms that can be transmitted from the waste to humans if it is not promptly picked up and disposed of. This list includes E. coli, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Brucellosis, and roundworm parasites.
Many of these microorganisms will last months in the soil, and some up to four years, if not immediately cleaned up from lawns, along trails, in parks or preserves. Children and landscape workers who care for our lawns, gardens, and public areas are most at risk.
Studies have shown that dog waste is also a significant source of bacterial and nutrient contamination to streams, especially during the “first flush” from a rain storm which carries the majority of the pollution washing off of lawns and hard surfaces.
To protect your family and to be considerate of your fellow residents and other trail users, please remember to “scoop the poop” with a plastic bag and dispose of it promptly in a public trash can or your own trash receptacle (not your neighbor’s trash can or down storm drains, please!), and wash your hands. Composting or burying your pet’s waste does not destroy harmful organisms.
Please don’t go barefoot or wear open shoes in dog parks or other areas where dogs frequently deposit waste, and it is not advisable for young children to play in these areas.
Sources: Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association; Companion Animal Parasite Council; Snohomish County Public Works Department, Washington State.
