The Township

Wilkes-Barre Township is a Home Rule Municipality (Mayor & Council) located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

Wilkes-Barre Township was formed in 1774 when it stretched from the Susquehanna River to the Lehigh River and included present day Wilkes-Barre City, Laurel Run Borough, Bear Creek Township and Buck Township. Wilkes-Barre Township is named for two courageous Englishmen, John Wilkes and Colonel Isaac Barr, who fought for our freedom in the British Parliament.

In 1849, Moses Tammany arrived in the United States from Ireland and he acquired most of the land that is now Wilkes-Barre Township for $12,000. Coal companies purchased many parcels of this land that contained the finest and purest anthracite coal deposits in the world. In 1871, Wilkes-Barre became a city and the present boundary was fixed between the City and the Township.

Wilkes-Barre Township is located at 41°13′40″ N 75°52′5″W (41.227931, -75.868282). (PDF Map)

The township has a total area of 3 square miles, all of it land. It is part of the Wilkes-Barre Area School District with G.A.R. Memorial Junior/Senior High School being the primary school for township residents. The township is crossed from northeast to southwest by Interstate 81/Route 309 and Business Route 309 (Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard). I-81 has two interchanges in the township: one at the southwest end with Route 309 (Exit 165: PA-309 S / Mountain Top / Wilkes-Barre) and one in the central portion near the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (Exit 168: Highland Park Blvd / Wilkes-Barre). Other important roads are Kidder Street, Mundy Street, Highland Park Boulevard/Coal Street, East Northampton Street, and Blackman Street. Its only village is Georgetown on East Northampton Street.

With its ideal location on the major interstate highway systems serving the region, Wilkes-Barre Township is quickly becoming the retail hub of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Recent significant developments include the expansion of The Arena Hub retail center, Wilkes-Barre Township Commons retail center and Northeastern Pennsylvania's crown jewel - Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza which is home to Penguins Hockey and many other events, shows and concerts. With the recent development of many restaurants and retail centers, added to the already existing Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township offers a wide variety of dining, shopping and entertainment choices unlike any seen in the entire region. Wilkes-Barre Township is part of the 11th Congressional District & 14th Legislative District. Wilkes-Barre Township became Incorporated in 1790 and has an approximate population today of 3,000.
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Storm Water Information

Wilkes-Barre Township, along with all municipalities, are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) to address stormwater issues using public education as well as a variety of best management practices or BMP's. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established minimal standards for stormwater management that are the basis for the PaDEP's MS4 Stormwater Management Program Protocols. "MS4" stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System and refers to communities within urbanized or urbanizing areas with municipally managed storm sewer systems. The MS4 protocol provides detailed plans for developing and implementing a municipal stormwater management program. Six Minimum Control Measures outline actions that local MS4 municipalities must comply with state and federal regulations as outlined in the following websites:
EPA Non-point source pollution
Department of Environmental Protection: Stormwater Management
Center for Watershed Protection
Luzerne County Conservation District
Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority


What Is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from rain and melted snow that flows across the ground into the storm sewers found at low points and along the sides of streets. The stormwater flows through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up the storm sewer system. The water eventually finds its way to lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and the ocean.

What's The Problem?

Stormwater becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants which end up in our receiving waters that we use for drinking water and recreation.

What Can You Do To Help?

Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as used oil, cleaning supplies and paint. Use pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff. Avoid blowing grass clippings and leaves into the street. Help keep storm inlets clear of trash and other debris. Look for signs and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals, leaving in stormwater runoff or tracked onto roads by construction vehicles. Report poorly managed construction sites that could impact stormwater runoff to our community. Pick up after your pets and dispose of their waste properly. Report any discharges from storm system outfalls during times of dry weather. This is a sign that there could be a problem with the storm sewer system. Install innovative stormwater practices on residential property, such as rain barrels or rain gardens, that capture stormwater and keep it on site instead of letting it drain away into the stormwater system. For more information, click here Water.Epa.Gov

If you see storm water pollution please call Wilkes-Barre Twp. DPW designated contacts
James “Swifty” Youkoski at 570-332-8553 or Daniel Hargrave at 570-328-3897
Additional reporting can be made to Wilkes-Barre Township Directly at 570-208-4635x206

Stormwater Management Public Educational Information
Utility Providers

Cable, Phone, Internet: Loop Internet - Service Electric - Verizon - Frontier
Electric: PPL Electric Utilities - Phone: (800) 342-5775
Gas: UGI Penn Natural Gas - Phone: (800) 276-2722
Water: Pennsylvania-American Water - Phone: (570) 825-7100
Waste Removal: J.P. Mascaro & Sons - Phone: (570) 735-0664   Trash Collection Schedule
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