The following permit or other regulatory requirements may apply
to certain regulated activities and shall be met prior to (or as a
condition of) final approval by the municipality of the SWM site plan
and prior to commencement of any regulated activities, as applicable:
A. All regulated activities subject to permit or regulatory requirements
by PADEP under regulations at Title 25 Pennsylvania Code Chapter 102,
or erosion and sediment control requirements of the municipality.
B. Work within natural drainage ways subject to permit by PADEP under
Title 25 Pennsylvania Code Chapter 105.
C. Any BMP or conveyance that would be located in or adjacent to surface
waters of the commonwealth, including wetlands, subject to permit
by PADEP under Title 25 Pennsylvania Code Chapter 105.
D. Any BMP or conveyance that would be located on or discharge to a
state highway right-of-way, or require access to or from a state highway
and be subject to approval by PennDOT.
E. Culverts, bridges, storm sewers, or any other facilities which must
pass or convey flows from the tributary area and any facility which
may constitute a dam subject to permit by PADEP under Title 25 Pennsylvania
Code Chapter 105.
For regulated activities with 5,000 or more square feet of proposed earth disturbance or 1,000 or more square feet of regulated impervious surfaces, the applicant shall design the site to minimize the disturbances to land, site hydrology, and natural resources, and to maintain the natural hydrologic regime, drainage patterns and flow conditions. The applicant shall demonstrate in its SWM site plan (as required in §
170-402C that the design sequence, objectives and techniques described below were applied to the maximum extent practicable in the site design of the regulated activity while complying with all other requirements of this chapter. The site design shall:
A. First, identify and delineate all existing natural resources and natural and man-made hydrologic features listed in §
170-402B(8) that are located within the site, or receive discharge from, or may be impacted by the proposed regulated activity.
B. Second, provide a prioritized listing of these resources and features
to identify:
(1)
Those to be incorporated into the site design in a manner that
provides protection from any disturbance or impact from the proposed
regulated activity;
(2)
Those to be protected from further disturbance or impact but
for which the proposed regulated activity will provide improvement
to existing conditions;
(3)
Those that can be incorporated into and utilized as components
of the overall site design in a manner that protects or improves their
existing conditions while utilizing their hydrologic function within
the limits of their available capacity (e.g., for infiltration, evapotranspiration,
or reducing pollutant loads, runoff volume or peak discharge rates,
etc.) to reduce the need for or size of constructed BMPs; and
(4)
Those that may be considered for alteration, disturbance or
removal.
C. Third, develop the site design to achieve the following:
(1)
Recognize and incorporate the priorities identified in §
170-304B as the basis for the proposed site layout, grading, construction, and permanent ground cover design;
(2)
Minimize earth disturbance (both surface and subsurface);
(3)
Maximize protection of or improvement to natural resources and
special management areas;
(4)
Minimize the disturbance of natural site hydrology, in particular
natural drainage features and patterns, discharge points and flow
characteristics, natural infiltration patterns and characteristics,
and natural channel and floodplain conveyance capacity;
(5)
Incorporate natural hydrologic features and functions identified in §
170-304B into the site design to protect and utilize those features and their hydrologic functions to reduce the need for or size of constructed BMPs;
(6)
Maximize infiltration and the use of natural site infiltration
features, patterns and conditions, and evapotranspiration features;
(7)
Apply selective grading design methods to provide final grading
patterns or preserve existing topography in order to evenly distribute
runoff and minimize concentrated flows;
(8)
Minimize the cumulative area to be covered by impervious surfaces
and:
(a)
Minimize the size of individual impervious surfaces;
(b)
Separate large impervious surfaces into smaller components;
(c)
Disconnect runoff from one impervious surface to another; and
(d)
Utilize porous materials in place of impervious wherever practicable;
(9)
Minimize the volume and peak discharge rates of stormwater generated;
(10)
Avoid or minimize stormwater runoff pollutant loads and receiving
stream channel erosion;
(11)
Locate infiltration and other BMPs:
(a)
At or as near to the source of generation as possible; and
(b)
At depths that are as shallow as possible;
(12)
Prioritize the selection and design of BMPs as follows:
(a)
Nonstructural and vegetation BMPs; then
(b)
Structural (surface and subsurface) BMPs;
(13)
For flow volumes requiring conveyance from the source of generation
to a BMP for management, give preference to open channel conveyance
techniques that provide infiltration and water quality benefits, and
landscaped-based management in common open space areas, where practicable;
and
(14)
Consider additional guidance for incorporating natural hydrology into the site and BMP designs, methods and techniques that support the objectives of §
170-304B and
C. Appendix B presents additional discussion of "conservation design"
and "low-impact development."
D. The procedures set forth above shall be utilized to the maximum extent practicable for the overall site design and selection, location and design of features and BMPs to be used to comply with the requirements of §§
170-305 through
170-308.
To control post-construction stormwater impacts from regulated
activities and meet state water quality requirements, BMPs shall be
provided in the site design that replicate predevelopment stormwater
infiltration and runoff conditions, such that post-construction stormwater
discharges do not degrade the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics
of the receiving waters. The green infrastructure and low-impact development
(LID) practices provided in the PA BMP Manual, as well as the guidance
on green infrastructure, LID and Conservation Design (CD) provided
in Appendix B, shall be utilized for all regulated activities wherever
possible. The applicant shall comply with the following water quality
and runoff volume requirements for all regulated activities, including
all new development and redevelopment activities:
A. The post-construction total runoff volume shall not exceed the predevelopment
total runoff volume for all storms equal to or less than the two-year,
twenty-four-hour duration precipitation (design storm). The water
quality and runoff volume to be managed shall consist of any runoff
volume generated by the proposed regulated activity over and above
the predevelopment total runoff volume and shall be captured and permanently
retained or infiltrated on the site. Permanent retention options may
include, but are not limited to, reuse, evaporation, transpiration,
and infiltration.
B. For modeling purposes, the predevelopment ground cover conditions shall be determined using the corresponding ground cover assumptions presented in §
170-309D of this chapter.
C. The design of the stormwater management facility outlet shall provide
for protection from clogging and unwanted sedimentation.
D. BMPs that moderate the temperature of stormwater shall be used to
protect the temperature of receiving waters.
E. Water quality improvement shall be achieved in conjunction with achieving the infiltration requirements of §
170-306. The infiltration volume required under §
170-306 may be included as a component of the water quality volume. If the calculated water quality and runoff volume is greater than the volume infiltrated, then the difference between the two volumes shall be managed for water quality and runoff volume control through other techniques or practices but shall not be discharged from the site.
F. Runoff from the disturbed area shall be treated for water quality
prior to entering existing waterways or water bodies. If a stormwater
management practice does not provide water quality treatment, then
water quality BMPs shall be utilized to provide pretreatment prior
to the runoff entering the stormwater management practice.
G. The municipality may require additional water quality and runoff control measures for stormwater discharging to special management areas such as those listed in §
170-301P.
H. When the regulated activity contains or is divided by multiple drainage
areas, the water quality and runoff volume shall be separately addressed
for each drainage area.
I. Weighted averaging of runoff coefficients shall not be used for manual
computations or input data for water quality and runoff volume calculations.
J. Areas located outside of the site (i.e., areas outside of the regulated
activity) may be excluded from the calculation of the water quality
and runoff volume requirements.
K. Water quality and volume control practices shall be selected and designed to meet the criteria of §
170-304C that apply to water quality and volume control.
L. Evapotranspiration may be quantified and credited towards meeting
volume requirements according to the PADEP Post Construction Stormwater
Management (PCSM) Spreadsheet and Instructions (December 2020), or
the most recent guidance from PADEP.
Providing for infiltration consistent with the natural hydrologic
regime is required to compensate for the reduction in the recharge
that occurs when the ground surface is disturbed or impervious surface
is created or expanded. The applicant shall achieve the following
infiltration requirements:
A. For regulated activities involving both new development and redevelopment, infiltration should be designed to accommodate the entire water quality and runoff volume required in §
170-305. Infiltration BMPs should be consistent with the design and infiltration period guidelines included in the PA BMP Manual or other PA DEP design guidance. If the runoff volume required by §
170-305 cannot be infiltrated, then alternative methods consistent with the PA BMP Manual (as amended) or other PA DEP guidance, such as the managed release concept, may be used to manage this volume with approval from the municipal engineer.
B. For regulated activities involving both new development and redevelopment,
the volume of a minimum of one inch of runoff from all regulated impervious
surfaces shall be infiltrated.
C. If the requirements of §
170-306A or
B cannot be physically accomplished, then the applicant shall be responsible for demonstrating with data or calculations to the satisfaction of the Municipal Engineer why this infiltration volume cannot be physically accomplished on the site (e.g., shallow depth to bedrock or limiting zone, open voids, steep slopes, etc.) and what alternative volume can be infiltrated.
D. Only if a minimum infiltration of the first 0.5 inch of runoff volume cannot be physically accomplished on the site shall a waiver from §
170-306 be considered by the municipality, in accordance with §
170-111.
E. If site conditions preclude capture of runoff from portions of the
impervious surfaces, the infiltration volume for the remaining area
shall be increased an equivalent amount to offset the loss.
F. When a project contains or is divided by multiple watersheds, the
infiltration volume shall be separately addressed for each watershed.
G. Existing impervious surfaces located in areas outside of the site
(i.e., outside of the regulated activity) may be excluded from the
calculation of the required infiltration volume.
H. A detailed soils evaluation of the site shall be conducted by a qualified
professional and at a minimum shall address soil permeability, depth
to bedrock, and subgrade stability. The general process for designing
the infiltration BMP shall be conducted by a qualified licensed professional
and shall be consistent with the PA BMP Manual (as amended) (or other
guidance acceptable to the Municipal Engineer) and in general shall:
(1)
Analyze hydrologic soil groups as well as natural and man-made
features within the site to determine general areas of suitability
for infiltration practices. In areas where development on fill material
is under consideration, conduct geotechnical investigations of subgrade
stability; infiltration may not be ruled out without conducting these
tests.
(2)
Provide field tests, such as double-ring infiltrometer or other
hydraulic conductivity tests (at the elevation of the proposed infiltration
surface), to determine the appropriate hydraulic conductivity rate.
Standard septic/sewage percolation tests are not acceptable for design
purposes.
(3)
Design the infiltration facility for the required retention
(infiltration) volume based on field-determined infiltration capacity
(and apply safety factor as per applicable design guidelines) at the
elevation of the proposed infiltration surface.
(4)
On-lot infiltration features are encouraged; however, it shall
be demonstrated to the Municipal Engineer that the soils are conducive
to infiltration on the identified lots.
I. Infiltration BMPs shall be selected based on suitability of soils
and site conditions and shall be constructed on soils that have the
following characteristics:
(1)
A minimum depth of 24 inches between the bottom of the BMP and the top of the Limiting Zone. Additional depth may be required in areas underlain by karst or carbonate geology (see §
170-306M).
(2)
An infiltration rate sufficient to accept the additional stormwater
volume and drain completely as determined by field tests conducted
by the applicant.
(3)
The infiltration facility shall completely drain the retention
(infiltration) volume within three days (72 hours) from the end of
the design storm.
J. All infiltration practices shall:
(1)
Be selected and designed to meet the criteria of §
170-304C that are applicable to infiltration;
(2)
Be set back at least 25 feet from all buildings and features
with subgrade elements (e.g., basements, foundation walls, etc.),
unless otherwise approved by the Municipal Engineer;
(3)
For any infiltration practice that collects runoff from shared
or multiple features and that is located within 50 feet of a building
or feature with subgrade elements (e.g., basements, foundation walls,
etc.), the bottom elevation shall be set below the elevation of the
subgrade element.
K. Infiltration facilities shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
be located to avoid introducing contaminants to groundwater:
(1)
When a hot spot is located in the area draining to a proposed
infiltration facility, an evaluation of the potential of groundwater
contamination from the proposed infiltration facility shall be performed,
including a hydrogeologic investigation (if necessary) by a qualified
licensed professional to determine what, if any, pretreatment or additional
design considerations are needed to protect groundwater quality.
(2)
When located within a wellhead protection area of a public water
supply well, infiltration practices shall be in conformance with the
applicable approved source water protection assessment or source water
protection plan.
(3)
The applicant shall provide appropriate safeguards against groundwater
contamination for land uses that may cause groundwater contamination
should there be a mishap or spill.
L. During site construction, all infiltration practice components shall
be protected from compaction due to heavy equipment operation or storage
of fill or construction material. Infiltration areas shall also be
protected from sedimentation. Areas that are accidentally compacted
or graded shall be remediated to restore soil composition and porosity.
Adequate documentation to this effect shall be submitted to the Municipal
Engineer for review. All areas designated for infiltration shall not
receive runoff until the contributory drainage area has achieved final
stabilization.
M. Consideration of infiltration BMPs for areas underlain by karst or
carbonate geology is encouraged, but only where the design, supporting
calculations, results of soils or other site investigations or other
documentation are provided to the municipality demonstrating that
the potential or likelihood of subsidence or sinkholes is minimal.
Evaluation of site conditions and infiltration design shall rely on
guidance in the PA BMP Manual (as amended) or other guidance acceptable
to the Municipal Engineer.
N. Groundwater quality of the carbonate aquifer shall be protected from
infiltration of pollutants. At a minimum, stormwater runoff from hot
spots (i.e., sources of significant pollutant runoff) shall first
be discharged through a water quality BMP(s) to remove pollutants
prior to infiltration. Where soil characteristics are insufficient
to provide removal of pollutants from sources other than hot spots,
stormwater runoff shall first be discharged through a water quality
BMP(s) to remove pollutants prior to infiltration.
O. Where sediment transport in the stormwater runoff is anticipated
to reach the infiltration system, appropriate permanent measures to
prevent or collect sediment shall be installed prior to discharge
to the infiltration system.
P. Where roof drains are designed to discharge to infiltration practices,
they shall have appropriate measures to prevent clogging by unwanted
debris (for example, silt, leaves and vegetation). Such measures shall
include but are not limited to leaf traps, gutter guards and cleanouts.
Q. All infiltration practices shall have appropriate positive overflow
controls.
R. No sand, salt or other particulate matter may be applied to a porous
surface material for winter ice conditions.
S. The following procedures and materials shall be required during the
construction of all subsurface facilities:
(1)
Excavation for the infiltration facility shall be performed
with equipment that will not compact the bottom of the seepage bed/trench
or like facility.
(2)
The bottom of the bed and/or trench shall be scarified prior
to the placement of aggregate.
(3)
Only clean aggregate with documented porosity, free of fines,
shall be allowed.
(4)
The tops, bottoms and sides of all seepage beds, trenches, or
like facilities shall be covered with drainage fabric. Fabric shall
be nonwoven fabric acceptable to the Municipal Engineer.
(5)
Stormwater shall be distributed throughout the entire seepage
bed/trench or like facility and provisions for the collection of debris
shall be provided in all facilities.
For regulated activities involving new development with one
or more acres of earth disturbance, the applicant shall comply with
the following stream channel protection requirements to minimize stream
channel erosion and associated water quality impacts to the receiving
waters:
A. The peak flow rate of the post-construction two-year, twenty-four-hour
design storm shall be reduced to the predevelopment peak flow rate
of the one-year, twenty-four-hour duration precipitation, using the
SCS Type II distribution.
B. To the maximum extent practicable, and unless otherwise approved
by the Municipal Engineer, the post-construction one-year, twenty-four-hour
storm flow shall be detained for a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum
not to exceed 72 hours from a point in time when the maximum volume
of water from the one-year, twenty-four-hour storm is stored in a
proposed BMP (i.e., when the maximum water surface elevation is achieved
in the facility). Release of water can begin at the start of the storm
(i.e., the invert of the orifice is at the invert of the proposed
BMP).
C. For modeling purposes, the predevelopment ground cover conditions shall be determined using the corresponding ground cover assumptions presented in §
170-309D of this chapter.
D. The minimum orifice size in the outlet structure to the BMP shall
be three inches in diameter unless otherwise approved by the Municipal
Engineer, and a trash rack shall be installed to prevent clogging.
For sites with small drainage areas contributing to the BMP that do
not provide enough runoff volume to allow a twenty-four-hour attenuation
with the three-inch orifice, the calculations shall be submitted showing
this condition.
E. When the calculated orifice size is below three inches, gravel filters
(or other methods) are recommended to discharge low-flow rates subject
to the Municipal Engineer's satisfaction. When filters are utilized,
maintenance provisions shall be provided to ensure filters meet the
design function.
F. All proposed stormwater management facilities shall make use of measures
to extend the flow path and increase the travel time of flows in the
facility.
G. When a regulated activity contains or is divided by multiple drainage
areas, the peak flow rate control shall be separately addressed for
each drainage area.
The applicant shall comply with the following peak flow rate
control requirements for all regulated activities including those
that involve new development and redevelopment.
A. Post-construction peak flow rates from any regulated activity shall
not exceed the predevelopment peak flow rates as shown for each of
the design storms specified in Table 308.1.
Table 308.1
Peak Rate Control Standards
|
---|
(Peak Flow Rate of the Post-construction Design Storm Shall
be Reduced to the Peak Flow Rate of the Corresponding Predevelopment
Design Storm Shown in the Table)
|
---|
Post-Construction Design Storm Frequency (24-Hour Duration)
|
Predevelopment Design Storm
|
---|
New Development Regulated Activities
|
Redevelopment Regulated Activities
|
---|
2-year
|
1-year
|
2-year
|
5-year
|
5-year
|
5-year
|
10-year
|
10-year
|
10-year
|
25-year
|
25-year
|
25-year
|
50-year
|
50-year
|
50-year
|
100-year
|
100-year
|
100-year
|
B. For modeling purposes, the predevelopment ground cover conditions shall be determined using the corresponding ground cover assumptions presented in §
170-309D of this chapter.
C. For regulated activities involving only redevelopment, no peak flow rate controls are required when and only if the total regulated impervious surface area is at least 20% less than the total existing impervious surface area to be disturbed by the regulated activity. In all cases where this requirement is not met, the redevelopment regulated activity shall achieve the peak flow rate controls presented in Table 308.1, using the redevelopment ground cover assumptions presented in §
170-309D. This design criterion for redevelopment is only permitted with approval of Municipal Engineer. It shall result in no impact on downstream properties.
D. Only the area of the proposed regulated activity shall be subject
to the peak flow rate control standards of this chapter. Undisturbed
areas for which the discharge point has not changed are not subject
to the peak flow rate control standards.
E. Areas located outside of the site (i.e., areas outside of the regulated
activity) that drain through a proposed site are not subject to peak
flow rate control requirements. Drainage facilities located on the
site shall be designed to safely convey flows from outside of the
site through the site.
F. When a regulated activity contains or is divided by multiple drainage
areas, the peak flow rate controls shall be separately addressed for
each drainage area.
G. The effect of structural and non-structural stormwater management
practices implemented as part of the overall site design may be taken
into consideration when calculating total storage volume and peak
flow rates.