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Storm Water Management

To report Storm Water Pollution please call 570.208.4177
or submit the complaint online using the Report an Issue form. 

The City of Wilkes-Barre, along with all municipalities, are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) to address stormwater issues using public education as well as a variety of best management practices or BMP’s.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimal standards for stormwater management that are the basis for the PaDEP’s MS4 Stormwater Management Program Protocols.

“MS4″ stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System and refers to communities within urbanized or urbanizing areas with municipally managed storm sewer systems. The MS4 protocol provides detailed plans for developing and implementing a municipal stormwater management program.

Six Minimum Control Measures outline actions that local MS4 municipalities myst take to comply with state and federal regulations. They are as follows:

Minimum Control Measures

What Is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from rain and melted snow that flows across the ground into the storm sewers found at low points and along the sides of streets. The stormwater flows through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up the storm sewer system. The water eventually finds its way to lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and the ocean. For more information about the Water Cycle, you can review the Water Cycle Glossary of Terms. 

What’s The Problem?

Stormwater becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants which end up in our receiving waters that we use for drinking water and recreation.

What Can You Do To Help?

  • Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as used oil, cleaning supplies and paint. Please contact the City of Wilkes-Barre Dept. of Public Works for collection dates and locations. Call 570-208-4240.
  • Use pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff.
  • Avoid blowing grass clippings and leaves into the street.
  • Help keep storm inlets clear of trash and other debris.
  • Look for signs and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals, leaving in stormwater runoff or tracked onto roads by construction vehicles.
  • Report poorly managed construction sites that could impact stormwater runoff to our community.
  • Pick up after your pets and dispose of their waste properly.
  • Report any discharges from storm system outfalls during times of dry weather. This is a sign that there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.
  • Install innovative stormwater practices on residential property, such as rain barrels or rain gardens, that capture stormwater and keep it on site instead of letting it drain away into the stormwater system.

For more information on environmental protection, please visit theses websites: