Stormwater and water quality
Stormwater management, discharge permits, sewage planning and water quality certifications. What changed, the rules that apply and the dates ahead for projects in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Latest briefings
- MediumPennsylvania
Pennsylvania: DEP drafts revised small-site construction stormwater permit with new municipal certification route
A draft revision of PAG-01, which DEP reports was published August 22, 2026 with comments closed September 21, would align it with PAG-02 and add a municipal certification route with no impervious-area limits. DEP estimates issuance in January 2027 and effect March 1, 2027.
ProposedStormwater & water quality - MediumPhiladelphia County, PA
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia exempts small homes from stormwater rules and widens its maximum release-rate zones
Since July 1, 2026, one- and two-family projects disturbing under one acre are exempt from Philadelphia's post-construction stormwater rules, release-rate zones are larger, and sites of 5,000 square feet or more need approved erosion plans. Guidance Manual 3.4 took effect the same day.
Rules 7
- Federal · 33 U.S.C. 1341; 40 CFR Part 121State water quality certification of federal permits (Section 401)
- Pennsylvania · Delaware River Basin Compact § 3.8; 18 CFR Part 401DRBC project review (Section 3.8)
- Pennsylvania · 25 Pa. Code Ch. 102; 35 P.S. §§ 691.1-691.1001Erosion control and construction stormwater permits
- Pennsylvania · 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq. (Act 167 of 1978)Municipal stormwater ordinances (Act 167)
- Pennsylvania · 25 Pa. Code Ch. 92a; 35 P.S. §§ 691.1-691.1001NPDES wastewater and industrial stormwater permits
- Pennsylvania · PWD Regulations Chapter 6 (Stormwater)Philadelphia stormwater regulations
- Pennsylvania · 35 P.S. §§ 750.1-750.20; 25 Pa. Code Chs. 71-73Sewage facilities planning (Act 537)