What is MS4?

MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. The MS4 entity owns and operates a system for the collection and conveyance of stormwater. The MS4 program charge is to maintain and benefit the water quality in creeks, streams and waterways by reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff.

As stormwater flows it collects and transports pollutants to surface water. Although the amounts of pollutants from a single residential, commercial, industrial or construction site may seem unimportant, the combined concentrations of pollutants can threaten our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and other water bodies. Pollution conveyed by stormwater reduces the quality of drinking water and can damage the habitats of plants and animals that depend on clean water for survival. Pollutants carried by stormwater can also affect recreational uses of water ways by making them unsafe for wading, swimming, boating and fishing.

The Township is required to have an MS4 permit issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).

The MS4 program has six elements termed “Minimum Control Measures” (MCM's) that when implemented should result in significant reductions in pollutants discharged into receiving waters. The six minimum control measures and the actions required include the following:

  1. Public Education and Outreach - Distribute educational materials and conduct outreach to inform citizens about the impacts that stormwater runoff has on water quality.
  2. Public Participation/Involvement - Provide opportunities for citizens to participate in the stormwater management program or other programs which improve water quality.
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination - Develop and implement a plan to detect and eliminate non stormwater discharges into the stormwater system.
  4. Construction Site Runoff Control - Develop, implement and enforce an erosion and sediment control program for construction site activities of that disturb one acre or greater.
  5. Post-Construction Runoff Control - Develop, implement and enforce a program to address discharges of post-construction stormwater runoff from new development or redevelopment areas.
  6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping -Develop and implement a program that reduces or prevents pollutant runoff from municipal operations.

All municipalities should be committed to improving water quality through better management of stormwater runoff. Every resident and business owner can participate in their municipal stormwater program by reducing or preventing pollutant runoff from their own property and by reporting any non storm water discharges into the municipality’s drainage system.