Resources for Homeowners Associations to Advance Sustainable Practices — Stormwater Management
Definition
The combination of heavier rainfall events and aging stormwater infrastructure is causing concern for many HOAs, as most of them are responsible for managing and maintaining their own stormwater infrastructure. These facilities can include detention, retention, and infiltration basins, as well as rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, and other practices. These structures require regular maintenance and inspection after significant rain events, which are occurring with more frequency. HOAs should have a maintenance plan in place for their stormwater infrastructure and reserve funds for their future upkeep and repair.
A relatively low-cost project HOAs can undertake that can improve stormwater management capability, provide habitat, and improve aesthetics is naturalizing existing basins with native wildflowers, shrubs, and/or trees. Replacing paving with permeable materials or porous paving can also reduce stormwater impacts, however, these typically require more maintenance than traditional asphalt. HOAs can also support and encourage residents to install their own smaller scale projects like rain gardens, downspout planters, and rain barrels to manage stormwater from their own properties.
Grants and Funding
Growing Greener Grants
PA department of environmental protection funds can be used towards stormwater management plans.
Watershed Grants
PA DEP's Growing Greener Watershed Grants can help with stormwater management funding for projects including stormwater detention basin retrofits and naturalization.
After major storm events that cause erosion and other damage that could impact water quality and where an Emergency Declaration was issued HOAs should check with the Chester County Conservation District to learn if any NRCS disaster recovery funding is available. This source generally provides 75% of the cost to repair the damaged streambank/infrastructure.
Partner Organizations
- Contact your municipality as most are required to have a Stormwater Management Plan (MS4) and may be able to help/partner with stormwater issues.
- Brandywine Conservancy
- Brandywine Red Clay Alliance
- Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWA)
- Penn State Master Watershed Steward Program
- Christina Watersheds Municipal Partnership (CWMP) has many resources available on stormwater management and eight conservation organizations that may be able to partner with HOA's on stormwater projects.
Education
- The Christina Watershed Municipal Partnership's Guide to Green Stormwater Infrastructure helps homeowners determine which method would work for their property and lists steps, costs, maintenance, and where would be the most applicable.
- Penn State Extension Stormwater Basics toolkit with BMPs and explanations.
- Chester County Water Resources Authority's Stormwater management practices document (pages 13-19 detail best management practices (BMP), diagrams, benefits and any negative side effects)
- Chester County's Self-Guided stormwater best management practice (BMP) tour showcases 21 successful BMPs across the county.
- Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management with online assessment tool and related recordings.
- Videos on topics such as assessing stormwater, developing and implementing a plan SPECIFICALLY for homeowners
- Learn more about best practices for stormwater management by enrolling in Penn State Extension's Master Watershed Steward Program.