Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

Public Education and Outreach Information

A Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System is owned by the individual state, city, town or other public entity that discharges to waters of The Commonwealth. The Federal regulations, which passed the end of 1999, was mandated to started in 2003, required governments to obtain authorization to discharge stormwater under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

For the purposes of the NPDES permitting program, stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) are defined within these permits. Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, structure controls, design and maintenance procedures, along with other management practices are needed to prevent or reduce pollution in the waters of the Commonwealth.

The BMP includes controlling runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, drainage from raw material storage and various methods to reduce pollution, to recharge groundwater or to enhance storm base flow to reduce the threat of flooding and stream bank erosions.

It is clear that pollutant runoff has had an increasingly negative impact on our water resources as our population grows. The demand for new housing, roads, shopping centers, parking lots and other structures continue to change hundreds of thousands of acres of natural landscape every year. This not only increases this impact but affects our natural communities for generations to come. Stormwater management is something that we all need to be aware of. Clean and healthy waterways are or should be important to all of us.

The Borough has a stormwater management permit, that has recently been renewed. There are many ways that our residents can help with storm water runoff near their homes. At one point, many years ago, a community outside of the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, distributed 1,500 rain barrels to the residents. Though the impact on runoff was modest, it at least gave the person an opportunity to be involved in this issue, as we all should be.

One idea is to use a rain barrel to catch runoff from a downspout. A barrel or large bucket can be used to collect rain water by disconnecting a portion of the downspout and placing the barrel to catch the runoff water. A make shift lid can be made to prevent mosquito infiltration. This can be used to water your plants and will save money on your water bill. A large container or bucket can also be used, on your property, to collect rain water, keeping in mind to cover it.

A rain Garden is an attractive landscaping idea that may be planted with wildflowers or any type of plant that is native to this area. This is designed to collect water that runs off of a roof, driveway or other parts of a property. They can be created easily with a swell or basin type of a design. Rain Gardens are intended to fill with water during storms and slowly filter the water into the ground. During heavy rains, they can prevent storm sewer overflows that end up in rivers and streams. Not only will this keep rainwater on your property and out of the storm system, they offer an attractive alternative and are important habitat for birds and butterflies.

On a smaller scale, you can help by washing your car on the grass, verses in your driveway. Your grass will filtrate the soapy water, thus preventing chemicals and sediment from going into the sewer system. Other ideas would be to have porous driveways, green roofs, trees and tree boxes on your property and various other landscaping ideas.

There are many websites to guide you through the process of creating rain gardens, rain barrels and other ideas to help preserve clean water. The Commonwealth's DEP, EPA, The Pennsylvania Audubon Society and many other resources have many great ideas, videos and research materials.

Even the smallest change that we make, no matter how low the impact, will improve the quality of life for generations to come.

Thank you.

Shirley Purcival

Parkside Borough Council Member

Recycling/MS4 Committee Chair