Hummelstown Municipal Authority

WHO WE ARE

The Hummelstown Municipal Authority (HMA) was formed in 2022 to manage state and federal stormwater management (SWM) mandates. The HMA is responsible for managing, maintaining and upgrading the borough’s SWM infrastructure. HMA keeps current on legislative issues affecting future SWM requirements. The authority uses storm water fees and appropriate borrowing to carry out its mission. Key to HMA’s work is: response to federal and state mandates (mostly unfunded); environment and resident safety; and fiscal responsibility in performing HMA duties.

WHAT WE DO 

In addition to approximately 14 miles of paved roadway and 8 miles of underground sewer pipes, the borough has approximately 11 miles of stormwater pipes–the same as the driving distance between Hummelstown and Annville. There are approximately 450 SWM boxes feeding the underground system and multiple discharge locations channeling stormwater into the Swatara Creek.  Built in the 1970s, the SWM system requires ongoing maintenance and sometimes complete replacement. 

WHY IT MATTERS 

• Failures in the SWM system increase risk for sinkholes, sidewalk, and road damage. 

• Parts of the Hummelstown system are decades old and no longer effective or efficient; some parts are failing.   

• Required for compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the PA Clean Streams Law. 

• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Federally mandated Municipal requirement.  

• MS4 License – Small Municipal Separate Storm System Permit. State of PA mandated compliance. Annual and 5-year audits to evaluate compliance (potential fines for violations). 

HOW WE DO IT 

• Hummelstown Municipal Authority – Overall Stormwater Management Responsibility. 

• Public Works Department – Public Works provides scheduled maintenance throughout the year: storm drain cleaning; SWM box replacement; street sweeping; and video evaluation of underground pipes.  

•  Public Works Department - Parts of the Borough SWM system are quite old. Public Works responds to emergency situations. A common occurrence after a moderate storm, often resulting in road closures or lane restrictions. 

• Borough Contracted Civil Engineers –Design, Management, and Implementation of Major Projects; monitors MS4 and NPDES compliance.  

• Private Construction Contracting – when needed for emergency and scheduled repairs. 

• Dauphin County WREP (Water Resource Enhancement Program). Supports fulfillment of MS4 requirements. Provides cost-saving advisement and opportunities for avoiding penalties for non-compliance.
  

2026 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

• Parkside Avenue/Water Street System Replacement –Project completed using HMA funds, grants, and cooperation with Veolia Water. 

• Swale/Egress Repair High Meadow Campground Area - Clearing of vegetation overgrowth in swale discharging to Swatara Creek at the east end of the borough. Included re-lining the swale with rock to minimize erosion. 

• Replace and Repair Failing Stormwater Boxes – All older boxes will eventually require repair and/or replacement. 

• Emergency Response and Repair – Early July storms opened a sinkhole in the vicinity of Sweet Arrow Drive. New sinkholes formed at approximately 6 SWM boxes. 

• 2026 MS4 Compliance Audit – Clean facilities and record inspections; Auditors were impressed with compliance; rain barrel workshop; public outreach and staff training. 

• Renewed Membership– Dauphin County Water Resource Enhancement Program(WREP). 

• Storm Water Credit - Evaluate Residential and Commercial Storm Water Credit applications. Numerous residential rain barrel credits (a 1-time credit applied to residential billing) approved in 2026.  

2027 PROJECT PLAN 

• Kokomo/Crescent and Dock Street storm sewer replacement. Survey, design and permitting currently in progress. Work targeted for Spring 2027. 

• Maintain process with Public Works Department for emergency response. 

• Continue SWM infrastructure assessment and repair/replacement borough-wide. 

• Implement new Borough door hanger notification system for efficient notification of project descriptions and schedules.  

• Compliance with the NPDES, a CWA program that regulates point‑source discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters, a Federally mandated municipal requirement.  

• Maintain a current Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit for state of PA mandated compliance. 
  

The HMA meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held at 5 PM at the Hummelstown Municipal Building – 261 Quarry Road.