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MS4 Program

Overview
Stormwater Pollution

The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program, is mandated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), then reviewed and managed through Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (Pa DEP).

State/County/Federal Links:

MCM #1 Public Education and Outreach Program (PEOP)

MCM #1 has the ultimate goal to create a public education program which distributes information related to stormwater and MS4 Program information to residents within Susquehanna Township's boundaries. This MCM is designed to improve the public's understanding of stormwater and the cause and effect everyday activities have on stormwater, as well as, the stormwater pollution that can be generated. It is the Township's hope, that with proper education, residents will be able to identify stormwater pollution and the steps needed to prevent/reduce it. 

In order to achieve this MCM, the Township utilize several different avenues of distribution. This will include Susquehanna Township Stormwater Website page, within Township newsletters, flyers, articles, pamphlets, and within the Township building on the bulletin boards. Be on the look out for new information, as the Stormwater Management Program Coordinator updates educational material on a seasonal basis. 

From the EPA NPDES National Menu Best Management Practices;

Stormwater runoff is generated from different land surfaces and is impacted by the behaviors and activities of individuals, businesses, educational institutions, commercial complexes households, and the public. These common individual behaviors have the potential to generate stormwater pollution including, but not limited to:

  • Littering
  • Disposing of trash and recyclables
  • Disposing of pet-waste
  • Applying lawn-chemical
  • Washing cars
  • Changing motor-oil
  • Disposing leftover paint and household chemicals.

Convincing others to change their behaviors and properly dispose of materials can control such pollution. It is important that the public be aware of the significance of their behavior and that their actions can either pollute or protect our waterways, whichever avenue they wish to partake in. 

MS4 permit holders are required to educate their community on the potential pollution from common activities, and increase awareness of the direct links between land activities, rainfall runoff, storm drains and their local water resources. The education programs must include clear guidance on steps and specific actions to be taken to reduce potential polluted stormwater. 

MCM #2 Public Involvement and Participation Program (PIPP)

Susquehanna Township's PIPP is meant to implement and maintain a program that describes various types of participation activities and methods for encouraging the public's involvement and input for stormwater projects and activities. Public input can be provided for stormwater management ordinances, MS4 program, TMDL Plans, Pollution Reduction Plans and Chesapeake Bay Pollution Reduction Plans, including any modifications or changes that may occur. We also provide involvement and participation opportunities to target audiences developed from MCM #1. 

From EPA NPDES National Menu Best Management Practices

It is the goal of Susquehanna Township to encourage community participation, forming partnerships, and to combine efforts of other groups in the community which will encourage everyone to work towards universal stormwater goals. Public involvement builds on community capital which helps spread the message to prevent stormwater pollution, undertake group activities that highlight stormwater pollution, and improve volunteer community actions to restore and protect local water resources. 

MS4s are required to follow all state, tribal, and local public notice requirements when implementing their stormwater program. Public involvement also includes creating opportunities for direct action, educational, and volunteer programs such as tree plantings, monitoring programs, storm drain marking/stenciling, and stream clean-up programs to name a few. 

MCM #3 Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDD&E)

Susquehanna Township's objective for their IDD&E Program is to implement and maintain a program which can be used with public cooperation and Township staff to detect and eliminate illicit discharges entering into the MS4s. Areas of higher likelihood of illicit discharges, illicit connections, or illegal dumping are considered areas of priority, as well as, older infrastructure, a concentration of high-risk activities, or past history of water pollution problems.

Field screening is also a core area of MCM #3, where screenings are conducted during periods of dry weather for non-stormwater flows. These non-stormwater flows are then sampled and tested for selected chemicals and biological parameters to help identify the presence of illicit discharges. 

From EPA NPDES National Menu Best Management Practices

In general, illicit discharges include any discharge into a storm drain system that is not entirely composed of stormwater. The exceptions include water from firefighting activities and discharges from facilities which are already under an NPDES permit. Illicit discharges are a problem because, unlike wastewater which flows to a treatment plant, stormwater generally flows directly to waterways without any treatment. Which means all the pollutants located within the water flows directly into the water we then consume. Illicit discharges often contain pathogens, nutrients, sediment, and various toxic pollutants, such as heavy metals. 

MS4s are required to develop a program to detect and eliminate these illicit discharges. This primarily includes developing the following: 

  • storm sewer system map
  • an ordinance prohibiting illicit discharges, illicit connections, and illegal dumping
  • a plan to detect and address these illicit discharges
  • an education program on the hazards associated with illicit discharges

An effective illicit discharge program needs to be both reactive and proactive. The program should be reactive in addressing spills and other illicit discharges to the storm sewer system that are found and identified. The program must be proactive to prevent and eliminate illicit discharges through education, training, and enforcement.

MCM #4 Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control

It is the Township's ultimate objective to reduce sediment-laden stormwater runoff from leaving construction sites. Permittees with coverage under the PAG-13 General Permit will rely on DEP's program for issuing NPDES permits for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities to satisfy this MCM. In addition, no permits shall be issued unless proper evidence of a valid NPDES Permit, Stormwater Site Plan (if applicable), and Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (if applicable) is provided to the Township before earth disturbance of the site occurs. An ordinance for the implementation and maintenance of Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Control BMPs will be enacted to reduce sediment polluted stormwater runoff from construction sites.

From EPA NPDES National Menu Best Management Practices

Uncontrolled stormwater runoff form construction sites can significantly impact the stream system. Sediment in waterbodies from construction sites can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching aquatic plants, clog fish gills, smother aquatic habitat and spawning areas, and impede navigation. 

In partnership with Dauphin County Conservation District and Herbert, Rowland, and Grubic Engineering Inc., Susquehanna Township has placed measures to better review stormwater plans and E&S Controls, as well as, onsite inspections to ensure proper installation and reduction in pollutants from leaving the site. 

  • an ordinance
  • requirements to implement erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs)
  • requirements to control other waste at the construction site
  • procedures for reviewing construction site plans
  • procedures to receive and consider information submitted by the public
  • procedures for inspections and enforcement of stormwater requirements at construction sites

MCM #5 Post-Construction Stormwater Management

Within MCM #5, it is the designed to construct stormwater management facilities during new and redevelopment programs in the Township. As areas are developed, the amount of paved surfaces increases leading to an increase in stormwater volume, peak rate, and a decrease in water quality, resulting form an increase in pollutants. The Township tracks all implemented stormwater management facilities through signed and recorded Operation and Maintenance Agreements, attached to the parcel/most current property owner. The Township also encourages the use of Low Impact Development (LID) in new and redevelopment projects, to help reduce the stormwater load to the stormwater infrastructure. Finally, it is crucial for PCSM BMPs and LIDs to be constructed as designed and their relative O&M (Operations and Maintenance) be followed as per their plans. For more information of PCSM BMPs and LID Operation and Maintenance, please contact the Stormwater Management Program Coordinator.

From EPA NPDES National Menu Best Management Practices

As areas are developed, the amount of paved surfaces increases leading to an increase in stormwater volume and pollutants, which can harm waterbodies. 

The best way to mitigate stormwater impacts from new or redevelopment is to use practices that treat, store and infiltrate runoff onsite before it can pollute waterbodies downstream. Innovative site designs that reduce paved surfaces, or imperviousness, and other green infrastructure practices are excellent ways to reduce flows and improve water quality.

In partnership with DCCD and HRG Engineering Inc., Susquehanna Township has a program to address post-construction stormwater runoff from new and/or redevelopments that disturb one or more acres. The program includes:

  • strategies to implement a combination of structural and non-structural BMPs
  • an ordinance to address post-construction runoff
  • a program to ensure adequate long-term operation and maintenance of BMPs

As part of the MS4 Program, Susquehanna Township has established an inspection program for various stormwater features, including; grass swales, infiltration trenches, rain gardens, basins, etc...). Inspection of these features is a required part of the Township's MS4 Permit Program and will begin in accordance with the Stormwater Fee. Please cooperate with Township Staff as we implement our stormwater program and ensure your stormwater BMPs are functioning as designed. If you have any questions contact the Stormwater Management Program Coordinator.

MCM #6 Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

MCM #6 has an objective to prevent pollutants from entering the Waters of the Commonwealth through the implementation of an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program, which includes training components to employees of the Township and proper O&M of facilities. Susquehanna Township focuses on preventing pollution before it happens at all of Township-owned facilities and stormwater facilities. 

Municipal activities such as winter road maintenance, minor road repairs, and other infrastructure work, automobile fleet maintenance, landscaping and park maintenance, and building maintenance can release pollutants into MS4s that ultimately discharge to nearby waterbodies. Municipal facilities can also be sources of stormwater pollutants if BMPs are not in place to contain spills, manage trash, and handle non-stormwater discharges.

Sweeping parking lots, streets, and cleaning storm drains can prevent pollutants at the source from entering nearby waterways.

Here is a table listing potential pollutants likely associated with specific municipal facilities.

Susquehanna Township has staff trained to prevent and reduce stormwater pollution form activities like maintaining MS4 infrastructure and performing daily municipal activities. This primarily includes:

  • Developing inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules for stormwater BMPs.
  • Implementing BMPs to treat pollutants from transportation facilities, maintenance areas, storage yards, sand and salt storage areas.
  • Establishing procedures for properly disposing of pollutants removed from the MS4.
  • Identifying ways to incorporate water quality controls into new and existing flood management projects.
  • Developing a training program for all municipal staff involved in activities that could discharge pollutants to the MS4.
  • Developing standard operating procedures that incorporate stormwater BMPs for common municipal activities.

Contact the Stormwater Management Program Coordinator with any questions or concerns.