(15 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 
{{alert|NOTE: Minnesota uses the term Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) for MS4 stormwater, while several states and EPA may use the term Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). These terms refer to the same thing.|alert-info}}
 
{{alert|NOTE: Minnesota uses the term Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) for MS4 stormwater, while several states and EPA may use the term Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). These terms refer to the same thing.|alert-info}}
 +
 +
[[file:Aerial city.jpg|300px|left|alt=icon for MS4 stormwater]]
 
<!--
 
<!--
  
Line 9: Line 11:
 
-->
 
-->
 
<div style="float:right">
 
<div style="float:right">
<table class="infobox" style="border:3px; border-style:solid; border-color:#FF0000; text-align: left; width: 500px; font-size: 100%">
+
 
 +
[[file:Check it out.png|150px|thumb|alt=image|<font size=3> [https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_staff_contact_information_and_staff_assignments  <b><center>MPCA MS4 staff contact information can be found at this link]</center></b></font size>]]
 +
<table class="infobox" ; text-align: left; width: 400px; font-size: 100%">
 
<tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th><center><font size=3>'''Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System'''</font size></center></th>
 
<th><center><font size=3>'''Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System'''</font size></center></th>
Line 39: Line 43:
  
 
-->
 
-->
 
[[file:Aerial city.jpg|300px|left|alt=icon for MS4 stormwater]]
 
[[file:Check it out.png|150px|thumb|alt=image|<font size=3> [https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_staff_contact_information_and_staff_assignments  <b><center>MPCA MS4 staff contact information can be found at this link]</center></b></font size>]]
 
[[file:Check it out.png|150px|thumb|alt=image|<font size=3>[https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=9af02c9b2a994e56910cce1dbba400c4 The City of Austin, MN, has created this neat web-based story map about stormwater and MS4.]</font size>]]
 
  
 
The municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) stormwater program is designed to reduce the amount of <span title="any particulate matter that can be transported by fluid flow and which eventually is deposited as a layer of solid particles on the bed or bottom of a body of water"> '''sediment'''</span> and pollution that enters surface and ground water from storm sewer systems. Public entities that own or operate an MS4 play a key role in preventing or reducing the negative impacts stormwater <span title="the portion of rainfall or snowmelt not immediately absorbed into the soil that drains or flows off the land and becomes surface flow"> '''runoff'''</span> has on our valuable water resources.
 
The municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) stormwater program is designed to reduce the amount of <span title="any particulate matter that can be transported by fluid flow and which eventually is deposited as a layer of solid particles on the bed or bottom of a body of water"> '''sediment'''</span> and pollution that enters surface and ground water from storm sewer systems. Public entities that own or operate an MS4 play a key role in preventing or reducing the negative impacts stormwater <span title="the portion of rainfall or snowmelt not immediately absorbed into the soil that drains or flows off the land and becomes surface flow"> '''runoff'''</span> has on our valuable water resources.
Line 91: Line 91:
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
==Background Information==
 
==Background Information==
*[[What is a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4)?]]
+
*[[What is a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4)?]] - REMOVED CITY OF AUSTIN IMAGE AND LINK ON THE RIGHT, NO LONGER AVAILABLE, ALREADY MOVED YOUTUBE VIDEO TO THIS PAGE OTHER RESOURCES
 
*[[Why is a municipality regulated under the MS4 permit?]] - DELETE OTHER RESOURCES
 
*[[Why is a municipality regulated under the MS4 permit?]] - DELETE OTHER RESOURCES
 
<br>
 
<br>
Line 135: Line 135:
 
*[https://mpca.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8d310e604baa43699b25395834d0c69a MS4 Mapping Tool]: An interactive online map tool that can be used to view and explore Minnesota MS4 boundaries, defined urbanized areas, impaired waters, outstanding resource value waters, trout waters and approved TMDL study areas.<br />
 
*[https://mpca.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8d310e604baa43699b25395834d0c69a MS4 Mapping Tool]: An interactive online map tool that can be used to view and explore Minnesota MS4 boundaries, defined urbanized areas, impaired waters, outstanding resource value waters, trout waters and approved TMDL study areas.<br />
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=New_permit_requirements_and_related_guidance_materials New Permit Requirements and Related Guidance Materials]
 
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=New_permit_requirements_and_related_guidance_materials New Permit Requirements and Related Guidance Materials]
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_fact_sheets Pollution prevention guidance fact sheets]: A Collection of Links to a Variety of Minnesota Stormwater Manual Fact Sheets on Stormwater Pollution Prevention Methods Within MS4s.
+
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_fact_sheets Pollution Prevention Guidance Fact Sheets]: A Collection of Links to a Variety of Minnesota Stormwater Manual Fact Sheets on Stormwater Pollution Prevention Methods Within MS4s.
 
<br>
 
<br>
  
Line 147: Line 147:
 
==MPCA MS4 technical assistance==
 
==MPCA MS4 technical assistance==
 
*[[2017 MS4 Technical Assistance and Outreach Needs Survey Results]]
 
*[[2017 MS4 Technical Assistance and Outreach Needs Survey Results]]
*[[MS4 case studies]]
+
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_case_studies MS4 Case Studies]
*[[MS4 webinars and videos]]
+
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_webinars_and_videos MS4 Webinars and Videos]
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_staff_contact_information_and_staff_assignments MPCA MS4 staff contact information]
+
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=MS4_staff_contact_information_and_staff_assignments MPCA MS4 Staff Contact Information]
*[https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/municipal-stormwater-ms4#guidance-and-bmps-da807a70 MPCA MS4 website]
+
*[https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/municipal-stormwater-ms4#guidance-and-bmps-da807a70 MPCA MS4 Website]
 
<br>
 
<br>
  
 
==Other resources and documents==
 
==Other resources and documents==
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Aaron_test_ms4_acknowledgements Acknowledgements to contributors] - PAGE NEEDS TRANSFERRANCE
+
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Aaron_test_ms4_acknowledgements Acknowledgements to Contributors] - PAGE NEEDS TRANSFERRANCE
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Aaron_test_ms4_photo_library MS4 outreach photo library] - PAGE NEEDS TRANSFERRANCE
+
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Aaron_test_ms4_photo_library MS4 Outreach Photo Library] - PAGE NEEDS TRANSFERRANCE
*[https://youtu.be/xx1pgugfXeU MS4 Program Overview and minimum control measures (MCM) descriptions - YouTube video]
+
*[https://youtu.be/xx1pgugfXeU MS4 Program Overview and Minimum Control Measures (MCM) Descriptions - YouTube Video]
*[[Pond, lake, and wetland inventory]]
+
*[https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Pond,_lake,_and_wetland_inventory Pond, Lake, and Wetland Inventory]
 
*[https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-strm1-07.pdf Stormwater and Wetlands - Planning and Evaluation Guidelines]
 
*[https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-strm1-07.pdf Stormwater and Wetlands - Planning and Evaluation Guidelines]
 
*[https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-strm4-28.pdf Untreated Stormwater Runoff to Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands]
 
*[https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-strm4-28.pdf Untreated Stormwater Runoff to Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands]

Revision as of 17:22, 2 May 2024

Information: We recently updated this page and will continue to work on information about MS4 stormwater management. If you have suggestions, we welcome comments using the comment box at the bottom of most pages in the manual.
Information: NOTE: Minnesota uses the term Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) for MS4 stormwater, while several states and EPA may use the term Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). These terms refer to the same thing.
icon for MS4 stormwater

The municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) stormwater program is designed to reduce the amount of sediment and pollution that enters surface and ground water from storm sewer systems. Public entities that own or operate an MS4 play a key role in preventing or reducing the negative impacts stormwater runoff has on our valuable water resources.

Proper stormwater runoff management in urbanized areas is especially important for restoring and protecting surface waters. Urbanized areas are more likely to have activities that contribute pollutants to stormwater runoff, like applying anti/deicing mixtures to roads; fueling vehicles; grease, oil, and other spills; landscaping; and using pesticides and fertilizers. Urbanized areas have a large amount of impervious surfaces, or surfaces that rain and snowmelt cannot pass through, such as streets, driveways, rooftops, parking lots and sidewalks. Stormwater runoff from these surfaces travels faster and in higher amounts, damaging rivers, streams, and wetlands; destroying aquatic habitats; increasing the amount of pollutants that enter surface waters; and limiting groundwater recharge.

Background Information


2020 MS4 General Permit


MS4 stormwater permit


Previous permits


Minimum Control Measures

When seeking to manage a Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4), an effective Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) has six different components known as Minimum Control Measures (MCMs).


Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) are EPA approved amounts of pollutant loading that can occur and have a water body meet water quality standards. Follow this link to learn more about them along with guidance and resources.

Tools and resources


MS4 audit guidance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to evaluate MS4 permittees for compliance with the MS4 General Permit. The MPCA does this through compliance audits. To find out more information about the audit process see the pages below:


MPCA MS4 technical assistance


Other resources and documents