In accordance with our New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Tier A Municipal Stormwater General Permit, the township has adopted ordinances to regulate the impact of stormwater runoff and pollutants on the environment. As part of our Local Public Education Program, this letter highlights the requirements and environmental benefits of these ordinances.
Pet Waste: This ordinance requires pet owners to pick up and properly dispose of pet waste dropped on public or other people’s property. It prevents fecal contamination from impacting the local waterways.
Litter: This ordinance makes it unlawful to throw, drop, discard, or otherwise place litter on public or private property, other than in a litter receptacle. It prevents unsightly and unsanitary conditions and prevent litter from impacting waterways.
Improper Disposal of Waste: This ordinance states that it is illegal to dispose of waste in any place not specifically designated for the purpose of solid waste storage or disposal. The purpose of this ordinance is to prevent unsanitary conditions and groundwater pollution.
Wildlife Feeding: Feeding of unconfined wildlife on any public park, private deed restricted (e.g. open space, greenbelt, conservation) area or on any other property owned or operated by the township is prohibited. The purpose of this ordinance is in response to health concerns regarding bacteria harmful to humans and fish populations.
Yard Waste: Yard waste is regulated via ordinances that establish the current zone collection system and the methods of collecting leaves, brush, and other yard waste. The purpose of this ordinance is to keep leaves and grass out of the storm sewer system.
Illicit Connections: This ordinance makes it unlawful to connect any pipe or device to the municipal storm sewer system, spill or dump any material other than Stormwater runoff or groundwater (sump pumps) into the system. The purpose of these Ordinances is to prevent pollution and contamination of waterways which receive discharge from our storm sewers.
Refuse Containers/Dumpsters: This ordinance requires that all dumpsters and other refuse containers that are outdoors or exposed to stormwater, be covered at all times and prohibits the spilling, dumping, leaking, or otherwise discharge of liquids, semi-liquids, or solids from the containers into the storm sewer system.
Private Storm Drain Inlet Retrofitting: This ordinance requires all existing privately owned storm drain inlets that are in direct contact with repaving, repairing, reconstruction, regarding, or resurfacing or alterations of facilities on private property, be retrofitted to prevent the discharge of solids and floatables (such as plastic bottles, cans, and food wrappers) into the storm sewer system.
We have enacted these ordinances to protect our environment and to keep pollutants that are commonly conveyed by stormwater from adversely impacting our waterways and groundwater supplies. These ordinances can be found online under the Code Book Section on West Windsor Township’s website (www.westwindsornj.org) under “Chapter 150 — Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SP3).”
Thank you for your continued cooperation with our environmental protection efforts.
Robert Hary
Business Administrator
West Windsor
