Pollutant Reduction Plan
- ATTEND PUBLIC MEETING: Southeastern PA Stormwater Authority Board Meeting on September 23, 2026 at 6:00pm
- WRITTEN LETTER: send to Southeastern PA SWA, PO Box 1898, Upper Chichester PA 19061.
What Is Stormwater Management?
Stormwater is generated by precipitation events such as rain, snow, and sleet. This water disperses in several ways, including infiltration into the ground, absorption by plants, evaporation, and surface flow to other areas. The water that flows across the land surface is known as runoff and is carried through underground stormwater pipes and surface channels, such as swales and ditches, ultimately discharging into local waterways. Problems arise when water cannot properly disperse—primarily due to impervious surfaces (roads, houses, pools, etc), which prevents infiltration. The water now flows along those surfaces and can cause flooding and/or damage to homes, roads, and other infrastructure. Additionally, stormwater runoff also picks up pollutants, such as debris or trash, carrying them to other properties, into the storm sewer systems, or even directly to fresh waterways. As a result, municipalities must implement stormwater management systems to address these challenges.
In January 2025, Upper Chichester Township adopted ordinance 760 to organize the Southeastern Pennsylvania Stormwater Authority. This new authority will act as a funding and operations mechanism to provide stormwater system planning, management and operations.
| When Calling (610) 485-5719 | |
|---|---|
| Stormwater Fees | Option 1 |
| Flooding, sinkholes, or storm issues | Option 2 |
| Other General Inquiries | Option 3 |
Contact and Payments
Mailing Address
PO Box 1898
Upper Chichester PA 19061
Physical Address
Upper Chichester PA 19014
Contact Information
Stormwater Education
Documents
Why Did Upper Chichester Township Need A Stormwater Authority?
- Lower risk of flooding, road damage, and property impacts
- Complying with federal and state water quality regulations and improving local water quality
- Faster response to stormwater concerns and improved planning
- A fair way to fund stormwater services where ALL properties pay
Communities like Upper Chichester are facing growing challenges in managing stormwater due to aging infrastructure, increased development, and more frequent and intense rainstorms. Much of the Township’s existing stormwater system was not designed to handle today’s runoff volumes, leading to localized flooding, roadway damage, and streambank erosion during heavy storms. These conditions threaten both public safety and private property, requiring significant investment in repairs, upgrades, and long-term maintenance.
A stormwater authority manages the planning, daily operations, and infrastructure improvements which keep the system functioning properly to protect property, public safety, and natural resources. By establishing the Southeastern Pennsylvania Stormwater Authority, the authority can help the Township manage stormwater like a utility and charge a fee (NOT A TAX). This fee is billed based on usage of the system and ALL properties are required to pay this fee (i.e. higher usage = higher rate). This allows rates to remain lower for those who have less strain on the system. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your fee and there is an appeal process for anyone who thinks there is an error in their fee calculation.
Furthermore, Upper Chichester Township is faced with federal and state mandates to meet its Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP) requirements for the purpose of improving the quality of local creeks, streams, and waterways. These regulations have no funding source and have resulted in the need to spend considerably more money than ever before to address the requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The EPA regulates stormwater under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the PADEP manages these requirements through the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit .
WHAT ARE THE MANDATES?
The PRP focuses on strategies and large-scale projects to reduce specific pollutants and improve overall water quality. Some large-scale projects the Township has completed in the last few years can be seen .
To ensure we meet our NPDES permit requirements, the Township must submit an Annual Report to the PA DEP. This report summarizes the activities we’ve completed throughout the year to manage stormwater effectively and maintain water quality. If you would like to view the Township’s annual NPDES permit, please contact the stormwater authority at info@sepaswa.org.
STORMWATER FEE
In order to provide daily operations and infrastructure improvements, the authority charges a Stormwater Management Program (SMP) Fee. The fee is calculated using impervious area (IA). The authority has set the 2025 fee at $11/ERU/month, and each account will be billed on a bi-annual basis (six months). To learn more about the stormwater fee, please view the following PDF: Calculate the Stormwater Fee.