Residents and borough officials say new apartment development sent stormwater down South Second Street, borough issues MS4 violation

A resident told Emmaus Borough Council on May 19 that a recent storm sent a torrent of muddy water and sediment from a new apartment development down South Second Street, nearly overtopping curbs and threatening homes.

The complaint came during the meeting’s public appeals period, where resident Kyle Suez described water “like Whitewater Rapids” flowing from the development’s parking area and said "the whole road was covered in muddy water." He said the storm he observed produced about 0.8 to 1.1 inches of rain but that the run‑off behaved as if it were a much larger downpour.

The report prompted a response from borough staff. "They have received an MS4 violation for stormwater runoff," Mr. Pepe, the borough manager, told the council. He said South Second Street “received nearly every drop of runoff water from that development” and that borough engineers and the property owners are aware and investigating. "They have received a violation from us, and we are following up this week," he said.

Mr. Suez and other speakers described sediment, rocks and mud left on sidewalks and streets, and raised concerns about a nearby retention pond that they said reached maximum capacity during the recent storm. One resident said the pond was “at maximum capacity after this 1 inch,” warning that a larger event could overflow into properties and vehicles.

Council members and staff discussed how the developer’s construction sequence affected drainage. A resident who identified himself as part of public works said stormwater connections from the development had not yet been tied into the retention system and that temporary grading had effectively pushed water toward the street.

The council’s engineering staff and public works said they will inspect the site and follow up with the developer and its engineers. Mr. Pepe said engineers are already reviewing the layout and that the borough has charged the apartment owner for cleanup costs related to the event to avoid passing those costs to taxpayers. He added that the borough will continue enforcement and remediation until the drainage is corrected.

The matter was described as an active enforcement and engineering review; no new ordinance or permit waiver was adopted at the meeting. Council members encouraged residents to submit photos and videos to staff to support follow‑up, and the borough indicated it would pursue corrective actions required under the MS4 program until the detention system and stormwater connections function as intended.

Residents seeking updates were told to contact borough staff; the borough’s next steps include an engineering site review and enforcement follow‑up with the developer and its engineers.