Frequently Asked Questions

NPDES is a federal program administered by the state. NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) was established to regulate all point source discharges (specifically discharge of stormwater from construction sites). The County Conservation District has delegation authority to administer this program. Any proposed disturbance of 1 acre or more through the life of the project must have an NPDES permit.

• General NPDES permit - Issued by the District after the District review of the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and finds the plan adequate. This permit is for projects in non-protected watersheds
• Individual NPDES permit - Issued by PA DEP after a recommendation from the District to issue a 30-day publication in the PA Bulletin. This is for sites in High Quality / Exceptional Value Watersheds and those sites with possible environmental pollution or a history of non-compliance.

Call the Township for more information: 610-268-2915 Chester County Conservation District: 610-925-4920

Any project involving earth disturbance in New Garden Township requires a written plan for erosion and sediment controls. All earth disturbances greater than 5,000 square feet but less than an acre must submit a written Erosion and Sediment Control Plan to New Garden Township and the Chester County Conservation District for review. Any disturbance associated with the use of Chapter 105 General Permit (GP) (stream crossing, wetland disturbance, pond dredging, etc.), or one acre and greater disturbance must have an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan developed and then reviewed by the Conservation District office and the Township. (5000 square feet is about 1/8 of an acre)

The TMDL proposes pollution reduction from wastewater treatment plants, municipal Stormwater runoff and nonpoint sources (i.e., runoff from agricultural lands urban areas and residential lands). Reductions are proposed for pollutant sources that will make a positive difference for the surface waters of our area and bring them into compliance with federal and state water quality standards. 

TMDL stands for Total Maximum Daily Load. The TMDL represents the maximum amount of pollutants allowed to enter a water body. The pollutants considered for the creeks of New Garden are bacteria, sediment, and nutrients. The new rules and regulations are part of Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act and state that water bodies not meeting the water quality standards are considered to be impaired. Almost all of the creeks in Southern Chester County are considered impaired and do not meet the water quality standards. 

An MS4 is a conveyance or system of conveyances that is:

• Owned by a state, city, town, village, or other public entity that discharges to waters of the U.S.;
• Designed or used to collect or convey stormwater (including storm drains, pipes, ditches, etc.);
• Not a combined sewer; and
• Not part of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (sewage treatment plant)

MS4 Permits (PDF)