Wednesday, December 25, 2024

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Departments

Planning and Community Development

Stormwater Management

MS4

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)

South Williamsport's Infiltration Trench

South Williamsport’s Infiltration Trench Williamsport Resident’s Rain Barrel

What is MS4?

There are stormwater requirements under the federal Clean Water Act, and these requirements are administered under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PA DEP) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program. The MS4 program requires the Municipalities to incorporate 6 elements into their stormwater management programs, called minimum control measures:

· Public Outreach and Education

· Public involvement and participation

· Illicit discharge detection and elimination

· Construction site runoff control

· Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment

· Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance

What is Stormwater?

Storm water is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into storm sewer systems – a system with inlets and pipes that directly connect to local waterways. Storm water becomes a problem when it picks up pollutants such as oil, grease, metals and coolants from vehicles.

Storm Drain Marker in Williamsport

River Walk and West Branch Susquehanna River

Who is an MS4?

Under the 1987 Clean Water Act Amendments, the U.S. EPA developed storm water regulations to address stormwater that might impact water quality. These regulations were set up depending upon the US Census population data. The stormwater regulation phase affects about 1,000 municipalities in Pennsylvania. Those municipalities that are located within and "urbanized area" as defined by the 2010 Census were required to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Eliminations System (NPDES) permit to discharge stormwater from their municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).

The map below is the urbanized area and the municipalities and non-municipalities that are required to have an MS4 permit.

Lycoming County MS4 Coalition

The nine MS4 municipalities and one higher education institute joined together to create the Lycoming County MS4 Coalition. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) executed in August 2014 describes cooperative partnership efforts to be undertaken with the assistance of Lycoming County. The MS4 Coalition consists of representatives from all ten MS4s who meet monthly to oversee the program. A new position, MS4 Planner, was created in the County Planning Department and is fully funded by the ten MS4s. The MS4 Planner’s role is to assist the individual MS4s to achieve full regulatory compliance in the most cost-effective manner possible, and alleviate the workload required of municipal staff and officials.

The following are the 10 MS4s in the Lycoming County MS4 Coalition:

· City of Williamsport
· Borough of Duboistown
· Borough of Montoursville
· Borough of South Williamsport
· Fairfield Township
· Hepburn Township
· Loyalsock Township
· Lycoming Township
· Old Lycoming Township
· Pennsylvania College of Technology

How does this affect the individual?

Responsible storm water management helps protect our local waterways from unnecessary pollutants from entering to the West Branch Susquehanna River, which flows to our neighboring communities. It is important that everyone is aware of the pollutants that are harmful to our water quality.

“Ever Wonder Where the Rain Drains? Sustainable Drainage Animation”

What is an illicit discharge?

Please see brochures below:

Only Rain Down the Storm Drain Brochure

When it Rains, It Drains Brochure

DEP Fact Sheet on Swimming Pool Water Discharge Guidlines

DEP Fact Sheet Tips for Residential Heating Oil Tank Owners

An illicit discharge is an unauthorized to a municipal separate storm system that is not storm water. Examples of illicit discharges include:

· Motor Vehicle Fluids
· Household hazardous wastes
· Grass Clippings
· Leaf Litter
· Animal Wastes
· Unauthorized discharge of sewage
· Unauthorized discharge of industrial waste
· Unauthorized discharge of restaurant waste

An illicit discharge can be accidental or intentional. If you see an illicit discharge, please report the incident to your local municipal (borough, city, or township). For emergencies only: call North Central PA DEP 24 Hour Office at 570-327-3636 or Lycoming County 911 Center at 911.

Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Reduction Plans

The Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Reduction Plan is a separate plan under the MS4 Permit that is required when any MS4 discharges to the Chesapeake Bay. It includes a narrative of the MS4 that drains to the Chesapeake Bay (including pervious and impervious cover, and land use), the incorporation of environmental improvements to municipal infrastructure upgrades, and the identification of control measures that reduce pollutant discharges including nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment to the Chesapeake Bay.