Local Government MS4 Requirements
What is MS4?
The MS4 program is mandated under the Clean Water Act and administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The goal of this program is to reduce the amount of pollution being discharged into waterbodies from separate storm sewer systems (MS4s).
An MS4 is a collection of structures, like a retention basin, roadside inlet or underground pipe, that are designed to collect and transport polluted stormwater and discharge it, untreated, into local waterways. MS4s are owned or operated by a city, town or other public entity and are not connected to the sanitary sewer system or waste water treatment plant.
Through this program, local municipalities must obtain a permit to legally discharge stormwater into local streams and creeks. In order to meet the terms of this permit, they need to create a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) that is designed to reduce the amount of pollution entering local waterbodies.
Every SWMP must address the same 6 focus areas, also called Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) that are considered essential for successfully reducing stormwater pollution:
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Public Education and Outreach
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Public Participation and Involvement
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Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
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Construction Site Runoff Control
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Post-Construction Runoff Control
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Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations