Welcome to LCCWC

The Consortium is a forum for municipal officials, engineers, business and others to share resources and work in partnership toward compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Phase II Stormwater requirements. It is the mission of the Consortium to develop a proactive, efficient and cohesive countywide strategy to restore the waterways of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, ultimately resulting in compliance with federal and state regulations intended to reduce pollution and accelerate restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.  It is the goal of the Consortium to bring all stakeholders to one table to design equitable policies and solutions.  The Consortium will provide members with a variety of educational and informational materials and seminars.

Pick Five to Help Water Quality... more 

• Plant trees and other native vegetation to promote water infiltration.  Trees also provide natural cooling in the summertime to help minimize energy use.  If your property borders a stream, plant trees along its banks.  Trees help to stabilize the banks and filter excess nutrients from the water.
  
• Fertilize your lawn only when needed to establish vegetation or when called for by a soil test.  Many lawns may not need to be fertilized at all, especially with phosphorous.  When fertilizer is applied, use a spreader that has been recently calibrated and apply at the minimum recommended area at the proper time.
  
• Reduce energy consumption because power plants are a significant contributor of nitrogen to the atmosphere in the form of NOx.  NOx is then deposited on land by rainfall and is a source of excessive nitrogen in our local water ways and the Bay.
  
• Reduce fuel consumption -  cars are also a significant source of atmospheric nitrogen.
  
• Do not connect sump pumps, cellar drains or roof drains to the sanitary sewer system. Disconnect them if they are already connected.  Modern sanitary sewers are designed to handle sewage only, not stormwater. Stormwater can overwhelm a sanitary sewer system, straining treatment plant capacity and potentially causing sewer overflows.
  
• Minimize use of the garbage disposal, and utilize a backyard composter instead. It reduces the burden on sewer systems and the compost is a good source of fertilizer for gardens.
  
• Compost grass clippings and autumn leaves.  They are a natural source of fertilizer and organic matter for your lawn and the trees from which they came.
  
• Minimize stormwater runoff from your property - utilize rain barrels, rain gardens and pervious surfaces to promote infiltration of stormwater, thereby filtering excessive nutrients instead of directly depositing them into storm drains and waterways.
  
• Maintain your septic system - overburdened or malfunctioning  septic systems are a source of nitrogen to groundwater and local surface water.