Indiana Township Stormwater & Development Tracker
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — civic education resource NPDES Permit PAI136101
What is PAI136101?
PAI136101 is Indiana Township's individual Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. It is the township's legal obligation to manage how stormwater — rain and snowmelt — moves through public infrastructure and into local waterways.
Unlike a wastewater treatment plant, the storm sewer system is not designed to treat pollutants. Water that enters a storm drain goes directly into streams. The permit requires the township to reduce pollution reaching those streams through six required programs.
Indiana Township's own development records show the period from 2018 through 2023 represents the most sustained growth activity since the early 1990s — and none of the currently proposed or pending developments are reflected in that historical data. The township's records also show a near-complete halt in new development from roughly 2010 through 2017, the same period during which the 2010 Joint Comprehensive Plan was written. Source: Indiana Township development records (2023).
What the Permit Requires: Six Minimum Control Measures
1. Public Education & Outreach
Inform residents about the impacts of stormwater pollution and how to reduce it at home.
2. Public Participation & Involvement
Provide opportunities for the public to participate in stormwater program development.
3. Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination
Identify and eliminate non-stormwater discharges (e.g. sewage, chemicals) from the storm system.
4. Construction Site Runoff Control
Reduce pollutants in runoff from active construction sites within the township.
5. Post-Construction Runoff Control
Ensure long-term stormwater management at sites after construction is complete.
6. Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping
Maintain municipal operations (road maintenance, fleet storage, salt use) to prevent stormwater pollution.
Affected Waterways
Stormwater from Indiana Township drains into the following waterways, listed north to south:
Tap a badge to learn what each status means.
- Cunningham RunImpairedListed as impaired on Pennsylvania's Section 303(d) list. Primary causes: siltation and nutrients from surface runoff and storm sewers. New impervious surface from construction directly increases silt and nutrient loading.
- Pine CreekImpairedListed as impaired on Pennsylvania's Section 303(d) list. Primary causes: siltation and nutrients from urban and agricultural runoff, and flow regime alterations from increased impervious surface upstream.
- Deer CreekImpairedListed as impaired on Pennsylvania's Section 303(d) list. Primary causes: nutrients and siltation. Deer Creek is the receiving waterway for runoff from multiple active and proposed developments across Indiana Township and West Deer Township — including Rose Ridge (246 units) and Kingston Plan (45 units) — before flowing to the Allegheny River.
- Little Deer CreekImpairedListed as impaired on Pennsylvania's Section 303(d) list. Primary causes: siltation and nutrients. The riparian corridor through Emmerling Community Park — protected under the 1972 deed covenant — provides a critical land buffer along this waterway. The deed prohibits herbicide use and motorized vehicles, directly protecting water quality in this impaired stream.
- Buffalo RunMonitoredNot currently listed as impaired but subject to ongoing water quality monitoring. Status may change as data is collected.
- Blue RunMonitoredNot currently listed as impaired but subject to ongoing water quality monitoring. Status may change as data is collected.
- Cove RunMonitoredNot currently listed as impaired but subject to ongoing water quality monitoring. Status may change as data is collected.
- Allegheny River (receiving water)ReceivingThe downstream water body that accepts flow from the township's tributaries. Water quality in receiving waters reflects the cumulative impact of the entire upstream watershed.
📋 Planning Context: What the Township's Own Plan Projected
Source: Indiana & West Deer Townships Joint Comprehensive Plan, adopted Sept. 14, 2010
over the full 20-year planning horizon (2010–2030)
active applications & permitted construction, as of 2025 · West Deer Township developments tracked separately below
Cumulative Watershed Impact — Tracked Developments
Estimated new impervious surface added to the Deer Creek watershed
Indiana Township
Neighboring townships
(all tracked developments)
receiving this runoff
| Development | Units | Est. Impervious Acres | Receiving Waterway | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cove Run Road PRD | ~172 | ~60–86 | Cove Run → Deer Creek ⚠ | Pending |
| Preserve at Blue Run PRD | ~90 | ~32–45 | Blue Run → Deer Creek ⚠ | In progress |
| Indiana Trails PRD | ~250 (est.) | ~88–125 | Local tributary → Deer Creek ⚠ | In progress |
| Frederick Farms (Maronda) | ~32 | ~11–16 | Deer Creek ⚠ | Active |
| Rose Ridge PRD West Deer | 246 | ~86–123 | Deer Creek ⚠ | Active |
| Kingston Plan West Deer | 45 | ~16–23 | Deer Creek ⚠ | Active |
| Hartwood Meadows (Maronda Homes) | 79 (expansion) | ~28–40 | Little Deer Creek ⚠ → Deer Creek ⚠ | Pending |
| MPF Well Pad | — | — | — | Denied |
Active Development Activity
The following developments are subject to stormwater permitting requirements. Click a marker for details.
Where Does the Stormwater Go?
Select a development to see how its stormwater moves through the watershed.
Click a development above to see how its stormwater moves through the watershed.
How to Use This Information
Indiana Township's NPDES permit number PAI136101 is a public record. You can use it to:
- Look up the permit and annual reports on PA DEP eFACTS
- Attend township supervisors meetings where MS4 compliance is discussed
- Submit comments to DEP during permit renewal periods
- Connect to your community through watershed groups, conservation districts, and civic organizations
To submit a report about a potential illicit discharge or construction site violation, contact PA DEP's online reporting tool or call the DEP Southwest Regional Office at (412) 442-4000.