MS4 Municipal Permit Compliance
Complying with MS4 Permits
AQUALIS understands and adheres to both federal and state regulations to ensure your system is compliant. While each state varies in requirements, we have experience completing the general requirements applicable to all MS4 permits. We also provide the long-term maintenance, monitoring and inspections that are required to maintain the permit and to verify stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are working effectively.
MS4 Permit Regulations
The Clean Water Act (CWA) prohibits unregulated discharges from point sources under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). There are 3 major point source types: publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), industrial facilities and discharges associated with urban runoff. These sources are routinely permitted and monitored to allow measured discharges. In addition to the NPDES, municipalities are regulated through the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permitting. MS4 permits regulate point source discharges from urban runoff systems to help reduce contamination and improve our waterways. Municipalities with these permits are required to comply with their unique MS4 permit requirements and provide annual compliance reports to their regulating authority. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) play a part in the MS4 programs when a municipality is drainage or directing stormwater runoff to a river with TMDL requirements.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permits allow discharge from public stormwater systems in bodies of water. Permits are issued by the State, allowing states to enforce further regulations related to stormwater discharges. MS4 permits require the development and implementation of a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) that includes the 6 Minimum Control Measures (MCMs).
AQUALIS Provides Services to Comply with MS4 Permits Including:
- Modeling and documentation showing that the discharged water quality meets applicable standards
- Implementing best management practices (BMPs) to reduce discharge pollutants
- Reducing pollutants in discharge to the “maximum extent practicable” or MEP Standard
- Developing Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) and/or Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- Mapping of MS4, including jurisdictional boundaries, MS4 outfalls and receiving waters
- Providing annual reports with summary data of maintenance actions, proposed revisions and program status
Sustainable Design
Permit Requirements
Phase I MS4 permits have more requirements, as they represent larger populations. These requirements include:
- Structural and source control measures
- BMPs that reduce stormwater runoff onto local streets, roads, and highways
- Oversight and inventory management of industrial facilities
- Flood management evaluation to assess impact of flooding and water quality
- Good Housekeeping measures to address pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer contamination
- Emergency program to respond to spills discharging from the MS4
- Financial analysis
- Public information and educational programs
- Monitoring or BMPS, TMDL success, and gathering stormwater data
MS4 Permit Compliance
Depending on the size of the stormwater system, AQUALIS Engineering Services Division can provide design for permit compliance assistance
MS4 Services
Testing
System performance diagnostic, including capacity and water quality performance.
Evaluation
Stormwater system evaluation to identify opportunities for improving insufficiencies in existing system or additional permit requirements.
Design
Site specific or regional stormwater control measure design.
Inspection
Stormwater control measure inventory and inspection.
Retrofit
Retrofit and redesign existing stormwater control measures to optimize performance of existing assets.
Learn more about Sewer Systems in the United States
“Because the runoff collected by the MS4s is not treated, it is imperative to implement individual, property owned stormwater systems that offer treatment to protect our waters.”
Did you receive an NOV? Have an urgent need? We can help.
Notices of Violation (NOVs) or Corrective Notices should be taken seriously. Contact AQUALIS today to learn how to resolve the issue and comply with regulations.