Municipal News

Last Updated on Saturday, 29 February 2020 16:13

Poster Contest for Rostraver Township Fourth Grade Students

The Rostraver Township Board of Commissioners is holding a ‘Poster Contest.’ All Rostraver Township Fourth Grade students are invited to submit an 8 1/2” x 11” poster on ways we can reduce water pollution as part of Rostraver Township’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program.

Rostraver students pose with their 2019 Poster entries

Please submit all entries by March 13, 2020, submittal requirements can be found on the Township webpage www.rostraver.us.

Rostraver Township Has a Separate Storm Sewer System

A an ‘MS4’ Community, Residents Encouraged to be Mindful of Water Pollutants

What is an MS4 community? MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program. It is a program regulated by the EPA and DEP. What does this mean for you as a resident of Rostraver Township? Stormwater is the precipitation that flows across the land including anything from the natural ground to the runoff water that goes over hard surfaces such as your roof or driveway. Rain or snowmelt that falls on a roof, driveway, or patio pick up pollutants as it goes. Those pollutants flow into streams or storm drains that empty into our waterways like the Monongahela and Youghiogheny River. You can do your part by being mindful of what you put into the water and reduce the number of pollutants that need to be filtered.

Here are some simple things we can all do to make a difference:

Wash your car on grass or gravel instead of in the street on in your driveway. All the soap, scum, and oil residue run along the curb and into a storm drain where it ends up in streams.
When you fertilize your lawn, avoid fertilizing it the day before a rainstorm to avoid fertilizer chemicals being carried into the local streams and rivers.
Do not direct grass clippings or raked leaves into a storm drain or stream.
Other small things you can do include making sure your trash is securely tied; shoveling the snow before salting; and storing chemicals in waterproof containers.

These small acts can make a huge impact for the safety and cleanliness of our community’s water as stormwater pollution is the primary source for water pollution. If you would like to more about Rostraver Township’s MS4 program please attend the March 25, 2020 work session at 5:00 pm, when the annual public education and outreach will be presented.