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Storm Water
Ordinance
1 of 2021
​​​​​​​Part 7

Other Methods

Varies

Other

methodol ogi es



approved

by

the



municipality



  1. The project plan shall specify permanent stormwater BMPs to be implemented, operated
    and maintained to meet legal water quality, rate and volume requirements
    . Ifmethods other
    than low impact development (LID) and green infrastructure methods are proposed to
    achieve the volume and rate controls required under this ordinance, the SWM Site Plan
    must include a detailed justification demonstrating that the use of LID and green
    infrastructure is not practicable.
  2. In order to protect and maintain water quality, additional stormwater runoff created by the
    development project must be captured, stored and treated. In addition, post construction
    stormwater infiltration of runoff must replicate preconstruction infiltration of runoff to the
    maximum extent possible with the exception of hot spots
    . As a minimum, this shall be a
    volume of additional runoff generated by a 2-year, 24 hour storm
    . Preferred BMP's for a
    hot spot include storm inlet filters, proprietary stormwater quality devices, underground
    detention tanks, detention ponds w
    ith forebays, tree planting, green roof. Permeable
    pavement, infiltration BMP's, and rain gardens are not recommended for hotspots.
  3. In addition to the provisions set forth in paragraphs A. through c., inclusive, as set forth
    above, all regulated development activities within the [Municipality] shall be designed,
    implemented, operated and maintained to meet the purposes of this Ordinance, through
    these two elements
    :
  1. Erosion and sediment control during the earth disturbance activities (e.g., during
    construction).
  2. Water quality, rate and volume protection measures after completion of earth
    disturbance activities (e.g., post-construction stormwater management), including
    operations and maintenance
    .
  1. No regulated development activities within Bolivar Borough shall commence until the
    requirements of this Ordinance are met.
  2. All best management practices (BMPs) used to meet the requirements of this Ordinance
    shall conform to the State water quality requirements, and any more stringent requirements
    as determined by Bolivar Borough
    .
  3. LID and green infrastructure techniques described in the P A DEP Stormwater BMP Manual
    2006 or most current edition are encouraged
    .

§30B. Watershed Standards

  1. The stormwater management performance standards in this Ordinance are intended to
    implement the provisions, standards and criteria contained in the Pennsylvania Stormwater
    Management Act (Act 167), 32 P.S
    . §680.1 et seq. If there is any discrepancy between the
    provisions of this Ordinance and the provisions, standards and criteria of the Act, or if a
    storm water management plan is subsequently approved and adopted by the appropriate
    governmental agency or body, then the provisions, standards and criteria of the current
    watershed plan shall govern.
  2. Management of stormwater runoff is key objective of25 Pa.Code, Chapter 93, of the DEP Regulations, because runoff can change the physical, chemical and biological integrity of waterbodies thereby impacting rate, volume and water quality.
  1. The project plan shall describe how these rate, volume and water quality protection
    requirements will be met
    . Infiltration BMPs shall be evaluated and utilized to the maximum
    extent possible to manage the net change in stormwater runoff generated so that post
    construction discharges do not degrade the physical, chemical or biological characteristics
    of the receiving waters. These BMPs may be used to satisfy all or part of the requirements
    found within this Ordinance
    .
  2. Refer to the Stormwater Performance Districts outlined in Appendix A, and the
    Westmoreland County Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) at
    www.westmorelandstormwater.org. The project plan shall describe how the proposed
    project will address performance standards, impairments, and pollutant loading found in the
    IWRP. For areas not covered by a stormwater performance district, the release rate shall be
    80% of the pre
    -development peak flow as set by the municipality.

      §309.         Design Criteria for Stormwater Management Facilities and BMPs.

A. General Criteria.

  1. Applicants may select runoff control techniques, or a combination of techniques,
    which are most suitable to control stormwater runoff from the development site.
    Refer to the Acceptable Computation Methodologies table of this ordinance. All
    controls must be subject to approval of the Bolivar Borough engineer and the WCD.
    The [Municipality] engineer may request specific information on design and/or
    operating features of the proposed stormwater controls in order to determine their
    suitability and adequacy in terms of the standards of this Ordinance.
  2. If the proposed development site is located in an impaired water shed according to
    Category 4 of the P A Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessm ent Report,
    or in a watershed with a TMDL according to Category 5 of the same Report, the
    applicant shall identify the source and cause of impairment and shall propose, if
    required or applicable the use ofBMPs to mitigate any impacts to the waters.
  3. The applicant should consider the effect of the proposed stormwater management
    techniques on any special soil conditions or geological hazards which may exist on
    the development site. In the event such conditions are identified on the site, the
    Bolivar Borough engineer may require in depth studies by a competent geotechnical
    engineer. Not all stormwater control methods may be advisable or allowable at a
    particular development site.
  4. The applicant shall consider the effect of the proposed stormwater management
    techniques on existing stream impairments and pollutant loading. Refer to the
    Westmoreland County Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) at
    www.westmorelandstormwater.org .
  5. The applicant shall consider existing conditions on the site for the prior [five] years
    to determine prevailing land use and impervious cover, and shall consider 20% of
    existing impervious cover as meadow for pre-existing conditions on redevelopment
    sites
    .
  6. The stormwater management practices to be used in developing a stormwater management plan for a particular site shall be selected according to the following order of preference:

                           a.       Site planning for locating proposed buildings, impervious areas and grading which minimizes disruption of the natural site characteristics especially utilizing low impact development techniques.

  1. Minimization of impervious areas and promotion of retentive grading.
  2. Implementation of non-structural measures (refer to the PA DEP
    Stormwater BMP Manual 2006 or current edition).

                           d.      Implementation of innovative / green infrastructure structural measures (refer to the PA DEP Stormwater BMP Manual 2006 or current edition).

                           e.       Stormwater detention/retention structures.

  1. Any BMP which is a dam, culvert, stream obstruction or encroachment or outfall
    as defined in 25 Pa
    .Code, Chapter 105, shall be designed according to the
    requirements in those regulations
    .
  2. Drainage easements shall be provided for all stormwater conveyance and BMPs
    serving multiple properties and not located within a public right of way. Easemen
    ts
    shall include ingress and egress to a public right of way
    , and shall be recorded at
    the County with the final plan
    . Terms of easement shall prohibit excavation or
    placement of fill or st
    ructures and any alteration that may adversely affect the flow
    of stormwater within any portion of the easement.
  3. No person shall install, create, modify, remove, fill, landscape or otherwise alter
    or place any structure, soil, rock, material or vegetation in or on, or otherwise
    adversely affect, any stormwater management facility or any area within a
    stormwater easement without the written approval of the Bolivar Borough.
  4. Persons engaged in land development activities shall provide the required [financial
    security, O&M Agreements] to the [municipality] as outlined in the Appendix B.

B. Criteria for Stormwater Management Facilities and BMPs.

  1. If stormwater management facilities and BMPs are utilized for the development
    site
    , the facility(s) shall be designed such that post-development peak runoff rates
    from the developed site are controlled to those rates defined by a Stormwater
    Management Performance District for the 100 year storm frequencies
    . Rainfall
    data shall be obtained from NOAA Atlas 14 or other source as approved by the
    municipality.
  2. All stormwater management facilities and BMPs shall be equipped with
    outlet/overflow structures to provide rate discharge control for the designated storm
    frequencies. Provision shall also be made to safely pass the entire post-development
    100-year storm without breaching or otherwise damaging the facilities, downstream
    or neighboring properties.
  3. Release of stormwater flow from a development site must be to an existing
    stormwater conveyance or easement whether natural or man-made. Calculations
    and information shall be presented as to the ownership, responsible party
    , capacity,
    and stability of such conveyance. Release of 'sheet flow' as from a level spreader,
    will be permitted on a case-by-case basis as approved by the municipality and
    WCD.
  4. All stormwater management facilities and BMPs shall be designed to controvolume and water quality as defined by the Stormwater Management Performance District. Refer to Appendix A.
  1. Shared stormwater management facilities and BMPs, which provide control of
    runoff for more than one development site within a single subarea may be
    considered and are encouraged. Such facilities shall meet the criteria contained in
    this Section
    . In addition, runoff from the development sites involved shall be
    conveyed to the facility in a manner that avoids adverse impacts (such as flooding
    or erosion) to channels and properties located between the development site and the
    shared storage facilities.
  2. Where stormwater management facilities and BMPs will be utilized, multiple use
    facilities, such as wetlands, lakes, ballfields or similar recreational/open space uses
    are encouraged wherever feasible, subject to the approval of the [Municipality]
    .
  3. Other considerations which shall be incorporated into the design of the stormwater
    management facilities and BMPs include:
  4. Inflow and outflow structures shall be designed and installed to prevent
    erosion and embankments, cuts, fills and bottoms of impoundment type
    structures should be protected from soil erosion.
  5. Control and removal of debris both in the storage structure and in inlet or
    outlet devices shall be a design consideration
    .
  6. Inflow and outflow structures, pumping stations and other structures shall
    be designed and protected, using safety benches, trash racks, energy
    dissipaters and other means to minimize safety hazards
    .
  7. Access may be restricted as specified by [the provisions for fencing
    swimming pools] as found in the municipality Zoning Ordinance, and in
    appropriate instances such restriction of access may include fencing in a
    minimum height of 6 feet
  8. Interior slopes of storage ponds shall not exceed a ratio of three to one
    horizontal to vertical dimension with a combination of interior and exterior
    slopes not exceeding five
    . Steeper slopes may be approved by the
    municipality engineer if documented to be stable by a geotechnical analysis
    .

                           f       Landscaping shall be provided for the facility which stabilizes disturbed
areas and preserves the natural and beneficial values of the surrounding
area.

  1. Facility shall be located to facilitate maintenance, considering the frequency
    and type of equipment that will be required.
  2. Underground detention / retention / infiltration facilities shall be equipped
    with open grate inlet or manhole access to facilitate visual inspections
    .

C. Criteria for Collection/Conveyance Facilities.

  1. All stormwater runoff collection or conveyance facilities, whether storm sewers or
    other open or closed channels, shall be designed
    'in accordance with the following
    basic standards:
  1. All building sites shall use measures to provide drainage away from and
    around the structure in order to prevent any potential flooding damage as
    much as practical. Such measures shall include grading the surrounding
    lawn or pavement area so that it slopes away from the structure by a 
    minimum of 5% slope over a minimum distance of 10 feet; raising the floor of the structure so that it is a minimum of 6 inches above the predominate surrounding land elevation and above the designated floodplain elevation for those located within a floodplain; eliminating or waterproofing penetrations thru the structure's walls or foundation; constructing bermscurbs, or swales to divert surface water around the structure; arranging roof and area drains to carry water away from the structure.
  1. Developers proposing a land development or subdivision shall arrange
    internal drainage within the subdivision so that surface water is safely
    directed and channeled away from all structures within and adjacent to the
    development site.
  2. Developers shall provide to all persons constructing a structure within a land
    development site, standards including drawings and specifications to ensure
    that those persons adhere to the general site plans and storm water
    management plans for the development. Persons constructing a structure
    within a land development site shall submit to the municipa
    l engineer and
    WCD drawings, calculat
    ions, and other information to show how they will
    meet the stormwater management requirements of the developmen
    t site.
  3. Lots located on the high side or low side of streets shall extend roof, trench
    and area drains to a stab
    le vegetated area, natural watercourse, the curb or
    gutter line of roadway or storm collection/conveyance/control system (if
    applicable) in accordance with the approved stormwater management plan
    for the development site.
  4. For all building sites and lots, the inclusion ofrain barrels, rain gardens,
    drywells and other strategies for infiltration of roof runoff close to its source
    is encouraged
    .
  5. Collection/conveyance facilities should not be installed parallel and less
    than 10 feet from the top or bottom of an embankment, greater than or equa
    l
    to 15 feet height to avoid the possibility of failing or causing the
    embankment to fail, unless documented to be stable by a geotechnical
    analysis
    .
  6. All collection/conveyance facilities shall be designed to convey the 100year
    storm peak flow rate from the contributing drainage area and to carry it to
    the nearest suitable outlet such as a stormwater control facility, curbed
    street, storm sewer or natural watercourse.
  7. Where drainage swales or open channels are used, they shall be suitably
    lined to prevent erosion and designed to avoid erosive velocities.
  1. Wherever storm sewers are proposed to be utilized, they shall comply with the
    following additional criteria.
    ;
  1. Where practical, designed to traverse under seeded and planted areas. If
    constructed within 10 feet of road paving, walks or other surfaced areas,
    drains shall have a narrow trench and maximum compaction of backfill to
    pre
    vent settlement of the superimposed surface or development.
Preferably installed after excavating and filling in the area to be traversed is
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