This site is currently undergoing revision. For more information, open this link.
This page is in development

The municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) toolkit is a resource for stormwater program staff. It is intended to help entities regulated under the MS4 program meet the requirements of the general permit. It offers a wide range of stormwater education information including sample fact sheets, newsletters, videos, and other resources.

Documents in the MS4 toolkit are available to all site users for download and use.

Wiki toolbox.PNG

Contents

MCM 1: Public education and outreach

Stormwater overview

Stormwater 101 - streets to streams

Info about common pollutants

===As a state, we all work together to protect our lakes, streams, and rivers. Here are some resources and stories about these initiatives.

Newsletter articles

Fact sheets

Additional resources

=

What residents can do

===Newsletter articles

Fact sheets

Additional Resources

=

===

Sweeping.jpg

Sweep up, rake up, pick up

For videos, programs, and print materials, click here

Lawn and garden care

For newsletter articles, displays, and print materials, click here

Shorelinelandscaping.jpg

Planting for clean water

For newsletter articles, displays, programs, other resources, and print materials, click here

Winter salt use

For newsletter articles, videos, and print materials, click here

Saltscatter.jpg

Small scale erosion control

For print materials, click here

Waste management and illegal dumping

For newsletter articles and print materials, click here

Motor vehicle care

For print materials, click here

Septic systems

For resources and print materials, click here

Swimming pools

For print materials, click here

=

===

Drains2river.jpg

Programs

Adopt-a-Drain

  • Adopt-a-drain program - asks residents to adopt a storm drain in their neighborhood and keep it clear of leaves, trash, and other debris to reduce water pollution (for Metro Area & Rochester only).

Social Media

Photos

Citizen water monitoring

  • Citizen water monitoring - volunteers measure the water clarity of lakes and streams, and the MPCA uses that valuable data to make decisions on watershed protection and restoration.

Master Water Stewards

  • Master Water Stewards - program that certifies and supports community leaders to install pollution prevention projects that educate community members, reduce pollutants from runoff, and allow more water to soak into the ground.


=

===Stormwater education materials that can help MS4s reach out to different audiences in their communities.

Renters and HOAs

Lawn care providers

Restaurants

Students and youth

  • Minnesota project WET: Water education for teachers
  • The watershed game - The Watershed Game helps students understand connections between land use, clean water and their community. Working in teams, students apply practices, plans, and policies to decrease water pollution while juggling financial resources. Successful teams reduce water pollution without going broke.

Faith communities

Trucksalt.jpg

Winter maintenance contractors

MCM 3: Illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE)

MCM 4: Construction site stormwater runoff

Programs for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 4

Print materials for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 4

MPCA resources

MCM 5: Post-construction stormwater management

Programs for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 5

Print materials for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 5

Additional resources for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 5

MCM 6: Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations

Programs for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 6

Videos for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 6

Presentations for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 6

Print materials for Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 6