Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) are regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This EPA web page provides overview information on what municipalities with separate storm sewers are required to do to comply with their permit conditions.

(Click image to go to EPA’s website)

Municiplalities with separate storm water sewer systems are required to: 

• Apply for NPDES permit coverage
• Develop a stormwater management program which includes the six minimum control measures
• Implement the stormwater management program using appropriate stormwater management controls, or best management practices (BMPs)
• Develop measurable goals for the program
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

EPA’s Stormwater Phase II Rules establish  6 minimum control measures  (MCM) that municipalities must include in their into their stormwater management program: 

(Click link to see EPA Fact Sheet on MCM)

• Public Education and Outreach
• Public Participation/Involvement
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
• Construction Site Runoff Control
• Post-Construction Runoff Control
• Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

EPA and California have identified a number of potential pollutants “.. likely associated with specific municipal facilities”, including trash.  EPA’s list identifies 17 municipal programs that are likely associated with “trash” pollution.

This EPA document provides guidance on evaluating the effectiveness of municipal stormwater programs.

Solving the TTF Creek trash problem will require enhanced  municipal litter control, prevention of illegal dumping and MS4 Stormwater Rule compliance .

I’ll review EPA’s MS4 program requirements in the next few posts.