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Pennsylvania Local Compliance

State of Pennsylvania

At AQUALIS, we know Pennsylvania's sustainable water compliance standards and manage regulator relations for our clients.

It is our mission to help you become compliant with these stormwater, wastewater and drinking water regulations through inspections, maintenance, repairs and rehabilitation services. As your water compliance provider, we handle the regulatory guidelines specific to Pennsylvania and ensure that our services meet the highest compliant procedures to keep you in compliance with local regulators.

Last Updated 08/07/2026

Pennsylvania NPDES

The Bureau of Clean Water administers the NPDES permitting and compliance monitoring programs for industrial, municipal, and construction stormwater in Pennsylvania, and oversees the implementation of the Act 167 stormwater management program in DEP’s regional offices. Please use the links on the right to learn more about these topics.

The Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Act of 1978, or Act 167, required that each county must prepare and adopt a watershed stormwater management plan for each watershed located in the county as designated by DEP, in consultation with the municipalities located within each watershed, and must periodically review and revise such plans at least every five years.

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Resources

Pennsylvania DEP Stormwater Plan

View Ordinances

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state agency oversees stormwater compliance in Pennsylvania?

The Bureau of Clean Water, part of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), administers the NPDES permitting and compliance monitoring programs for industrial, municipal, and construction stormwater across the state, and oversees the Act 167 stormwater management program through DEP’s regional offices.

What is Act 167, and how does it affect stormwater planning in Pennsylvania?

What is NPDES, and why does it matter for stormwater in Pennsylvania?

NPDES stands for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the federal permitting program under the Clean Water Act that regulates the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. In Pennsylvania, DEP administers NPDES permitting for industrial, municipal, and construction stormwater, which is why property owners and developers typically deal with the state DEP rather than the EPA directly for day to day permitting.

What is an MS4, and does it affect my property in Pennsylvania?

MS4 stands for municipal separate storm sewer system, the network of pipes, ditches, and drains a municipality uses to collect and channel stormwater. If your property is located within a municipality that operates a regulated MS4, that municipality typically sets local rules for how developed properties manage stormwater runoff, in addition to any county level Act 167 plan requirements. AQUALIS reviews each municipality’s own ordinance to determine what applies to a specific property.

Why does Pennsylvania manage stormwater planning at the county level instead of statewide?

Watersheds don’t follow municipal boundaries, so Act 167 is structured around DEP designated watersheds rather than individual towns. This lets each county coordinate a stormwater management plan that accounts for how water moves across multiple municipalities within the same watershed, rather than each municipality regulating in isolation.

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.

Services Offered in State of Pennsylvania and Surrounding Area

Case Studies

Lift Station Overhaul Restores Critical Sewage Infrastructure Tacoma, Wash.

Green Infrastructure Protects Bridges in Fox Point, Wis.

Severe erosion threatened twin bridges spanning a ravine overlooking Lake Michigan. AQUALIS combined green and gray infrastructure to stabilize the slopes and protect critical infrastructure.

Comprehensive Lift Station Overhaul Restores Sanitary Service at Industrial Facility in Mount Vernon, Wash.

After years of continuous service, an industrial facility's sanitary lift station had reached the end of its serviceable life. AQUALIS executed a full overhaul, replacing the pumps, plumbing, controls and in-well hardware to return the station to reliable, code-compliant operation.

Sanitary Lift Station Grinder Installation and System Reliability Improvement in Katy, Texas

AQUALIS addressed recurring sanitary lift station failures at a retail facility in Katy, TX, by identifying the upstream solids issue driving repeated emergency callouts. The project included installation of an inline Muffin Monster grinder, controls integration and full site restoration to improve system reliability and reduce reactive maintenance.

Parking Lot Sinkhole Leads to Underground Pipeline Reconstruction in Springfield, Va.

A large sinkhole at a commercial property in Springfield, Virginia led to full reconstruction of the site’s underground stormwater detention system. AQUALIS managed the phased demolition, geotechnical evaluation, utility coordination and installation to restore long-term stability and performance.

Manhole Root Intrusion Repair and System Assessment in Miami, Fla.

Sediment buildup, buried structures and root intrusion prompted a Miami shopping center to partner with AQUALIS to inspect, clean and restore key components of its stormwater system

How Stormwater Pipe Inspection & UV Rehabilitation Restored Flow in New Bern, N.C.

A facility relies on an underground stormwater system to move runoff to a nearby retention basin. A 36-inch pipe plays a key role, but concerns emerged as flooding occurred during heavier rainfall.

Facility Pond Shoreline Stabilization Addresses Erosion in Findlay, Ohio

Years of erosion driven by fluctuating pond levels and site runoff led to shoreline damage across this distribution property. AQUALIS implemented targeted repairs to stabilize the pond and restore stormwater control.

Fixing Pond Erosion to Restore and Improve Stormwater Function in Mebane, N.C.

The customer requested maintenance of stormwater management principles located on the property. Lack of routine preventive maintenance had caused overgrowth, leading to insufficient stormwater systems.

Upgrading Failing Lift Stations to Restore Stormwater Flow in Peru, Ind.

The three lift stations on this property had not been serviced in several years and were showing signs of deterioration. The property owner contacted AQUALIS to perform a full inspection and recommend repairs to restore reliable operation and prevent future system failures.

Stormwater Repairs Ensure Regulatory Compliance in Charlotte, N.C.

Learn how AQUALIS completed stormwater system restoration ahead of a compliance audit, ensuring the property met regulatory standards and was fully prepared for inspection.

Gate Valve Replacement Improves Stormwater Flow Control in Durham, N.C.

Learn how AQUALIS helped a high-traffic commercial property stay in compliance by replacing a critical stormwater valve, preventing costly backups and ensuring system functionality.

Did you receive an NOV? Have an urgent need? We can help.

Notices of Violation (NOVs) or Corrective Notices should be taken seriously. Contact AQUALIS today to learn how to resolve the issue and comply with regulations.