Stormwater Management
Stormwater management is the effort to reduce runoff of rainwater or melted snow into streets, lawns, and other sites and the improvement of water quality, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
Stormwater runoff is water that overflows from lawns, streets, parking lots, etc.. The water along the way picks up trash, toxins, and other pollutants as it travels to catch basins and storm drain pipes and ditches. This water is usually not treated, and can easily flow into local waterbodies. Polluted storm water can destroy natural habitats and harm the wildlife, as well as contaminate drinking water sources.
The Borough of Berlin has a stormwater management plan and a stormwater pollution prevention plan to help reduce flood damage and soil erosion, and to minimize pollution runoff into our water supply.
Stormwater pollution is largely affected by human activity. Here are practices you can follow to help prevent pollution of our water through the storm drain system:
- Limit your use of fertilizers and pesticides
- Properly use and dispose of hazardous products
- Keep pollution out of storm drains
- Clean up after your pet
- Don’t feed wildlife
- Don’t litter
- Dispose of yard waste properly
Protecting our water ways from polluted storm water is vital to maintaining clean water – and your help and cooperation is needed!