About knowyourtwp.org

What this site is, how it works, and where the data comes from.

Why this site exists

Indiana Township is a small municipality with a large amount of active development pressure — and a stormwater system that connects directly to Pittsburgh's drinking water supply. The decisions made in township supervisors' meetings carry consequences that extend well beyond property lines.

This platform brings together active residential development applications, Pennsylvania DEP stormwater permits, and township financial data — sourced entirely from public records — and presents them in plain language for the people who live here.

knowyourtwp.org is an independent civic education resource. It is not affiliated with Indiana Township government, any political campaign, or any advocacy organization. All data is drawn from publicly available sources only.

Where the data comes from

Every figure, permit ID, and development record on this site is sourced from a public government database or official township record. Nothing is estimated without being clearly labeled as such.

DEP Permits

Pennsylvania DEP eFACTS system and the PA Permit & License Status portal. MS4 NPDES and Chapter 102 construction permits.

Development Activity

Indiana Township planning commission meeting minutes and subdivision/land development application records.

Financial Data

Pennsylvania DCED Annual Financial Reports via the MunStats public portal. AFR data for 2020–2022 verified from source files.

Watershed & Stream Data

PA DEP Section 303(d) impaired waters list. Stream routing via the Deer Creek Drainage Basin Authority and USGS National Map.

Methodology

Development impact figures use standard residential engineering assumptions (35–50% impervious surface per developed acre) unless a DEP permit application provides a more specific figure. Financial gap calculations exclude recreation fees, which flow into a legally restricted fund that cannot be used for roads or stormwater infrastructure.

Estimated figures are always labeled clearly. When verified data becomes available from primary sources, estimates are replaced. A full methodology page is available for detailed sourcing notes.

Read the full methodology →

🌳

The Emmerling Legacy

This platform's civic mission is grounded in the conservation legacy of Dr. John F. Emmerling — a WWII veteran whose 1972 land gift created Emmerling Park along the Little Deer Creek corridor. Read his story, the township's history, and the 2025 conservation expansion.

Explore the legacy →
Notice of Independent Operation The knowyourtwp.org platform is an entirely independent, citizen-led civic education project. It is not legally associated with, operated by, or officially partnered with Indiana Township government, the Emmerling Park Management, or the Emmerling family estate. Use of historical names and biographical information is intended strictly for educational and informational purposes. No endorsement or official sponsorship by any of the aforementioned entities is implied.

Sources & Public Records