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Storm Water
Ordinance
1 of 2021
​​​​​​​Part 17

3. Dry Well / Seepage Pit

A dry well or seepage pit is a subsurface storage facility that temporarily stores stormwater
runoff from roofs and infiltrates it into the surro
unding soils. Roof downspouts connect directly
to a dry well or seepage pit that is an excavated pit filled with clean angular stone with an
overflow pipe to ensure the system will not be overwhelmed. Prefabricated chamber systems or
perforated pipe sections are commercially available for use as dry we
lls and should be designed,
constructed and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For more
information on dry wells and seepage pits refer
to the PA DEP BMP Manual 6.4.6.

Design considerations:

  • A dry well / seepage pit should be located on nearly level to gently sloping ground and no
    closer than 10 feet to a building foundation and 25 feet from septic field or wellhead.
  • A dry well / seepage pit can vary in length, width and depth, but should be a minimum
    depth of 3 feet.
  • A downspout should direct water to the surface, a system of perforated pipes should
    distribute the water throughout the system with an inspection/cleanout pipe to the surface,
    and an over flow pipe should outlet excess water during intense storms.
  • The storage system can be clean angular stone, separated from soil layers by four (4)
    inches of straw (top and bottom) or a nonwoven geotextile (top
    , sides, and bottom).
  • The outlet from the dry well / seepage pit should be safely conveyed to a stable vegetated
    area, natural watercourse, the curb or gutter line of roadway or existing storm
    co
    llection/conveyance/control system as applicable.

Maintenance:

  • Drywells and seepage pits should be inspected at least 4 times a year, and after each
    storm event exceeding 1 inch
    .
  • Remove sediment, debris, detritus and any other waste material from the system as
    necessary
    .
  • Regularly clean out gutters and downspouts to ensure proper connections and to maintain
    effectiveness of the system.
  • Replace any filter screen or clean out any sump box that may intercept roof runoff as
    necessary
    .
  • 3. Dry Well / Seepage Pit

    A dry well or seepage pit is a subsurface storage facility that temporarily stores stormwater
    runoff from roofs and infiltrates it into the surro
    unding soils. Roof downspouts connect directly
    to a dry well or seepage pit that is an excavated pit filled with clean angular stone with an
    overflow pipe to ensure the system will not be overwhelmed. Prefabricated chamber systems or
    perforated pipe sections are commercially available for use as dry we
    lls and should be designed,
    constructed and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For more
    information on dry wells and seepage pits refer
    to the PA DEP BMP Manual 6.4.6.

    Design considerations:


  • 4. Alternative BMP Capture and Re-Use (rain barrel/cistern)

    Rain barrels and cisterns are above or below ground containers used for temporary
    storage of rainwater, to be used for landscape irrigation and other similar uses after the
    rain has ended. A rain barrel or cistern cannot be used as a volume control because
    infiltration is not guaranteed after a storm event, but they are viable alternative method to
    capture and reuse stormwater.

    Considerations:

  • Rain barrels and cisterns should be directly connected to a downspout with a  mosquito screen

  • There should be a means to release the water after a storm event to provide storm
    volume for the nex
    t event

  • An overflow, near the top of the container should direct water to a vegetated area
    away from any structures

  • Barrels can be connected in series to provide more volume collection

Step 7: Post-Installation Operation and Maintenance Requirements


It is the property owner's responsibility to properly maintain any stormwater facilities and BMPs
in accordance with the minimum maintenance requirements listed in this Appendix. The property
owner shall submit a signed agreement, and declaration of easement to Bolivar Borough for
installation, and maintenance of any proposed stormwater management facilities and BMPs
. It is
also the property owner's responsibility to inform any future owners of the function, operation and
maintenance needed for any BMPs on the property prior to the purchase of the property.

APPENDIXD

BOLIVAR BOROUGH
Stormwater Management Plan Checklist

See Bolivar Borough Stormwater Ordinance for complete requirements

      Project Name: __________________________________________ Date: __________________ _

      Location: _________________________________ Performance District: ___________________ --'-

Type of Plan:_ Residential, _Commercial, _Institutional, _Industrial, _Recreational, _Other

      Owner: _______________________ Contact Information: _____________________________ ~

      Plan Preparer: ___________________ Contact Information: ____________________________ ____!

Submission Requirements

  • Checklist
  • Application
  • Fees and
  • Location map (USGS)
  • [x] sets completed plans, narrative
  • E&S plan, as submitted for approval
  • Operation and maintenance agreement
  • Municipal notification(s)
  • Financial guarantees, maintenance fund
    General Requirements

Narrative:

  • Project description, including Watershed Performance District, existing and proposed features and
    improvements, soils and limitations, landform, land cover, drainage areas, utilities
    , proposed SWM facilities
    and BMPs, easements and other information required by the [Municipality] stormwater ordinance
  • Stormwater calculations
  • Project schedule
  • Construction sequence, including phases if applicable
  • Justification for SWM facilities and/or BMPs
  • Operation and Maintenance requirements and responsible party(s)

Plan:

  • Location map (USGS)
  • Watershed Performance District
  • Existing natural features
  • Soils; and limitations
  • Landform; existing and proposed contours at 2' intervals, or 5' intervals for slopes> 15%
  • Land cover; existing and proposed improvements
  • Drainage areas; existing and proposed
  • Utilities; existing and proposed
  • SWM facilities and BMPs; existing and proposed
  • Easements, including offsite easements for drainage
  • Stormwater construction details and sections (as applicable)
  • Stormwater construction notes and sequence
  • Operation and Maintenance requirements and responsible party(s)
The End