What is MS4?
The Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a federal mandate to implement a stormwater management program to help reduce pollution & other harmful, negative impacts in stormwater runoff. The Borough is required to keep up with inspections, repairs, monitoring, & general maintenance of storm water within our municipality. Any form of precipitation such as rain, sleet, snow, & ice are all considered to be forms of storm water. Basically, any drop of water falling from the sky withing our Borough is MS4 regulated. The MS4 program is administrated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). WMSSMA has applied to be a co-permittee in August 2022 & is waiting PA DEP approval to assist the Borough in completing their annual MS4 requirements.
This is a required permit; it is not optional. This permit requires us to have the appropriate plans in place to reduce the number of pollutants, or any illicit discharge from getting into all of our streams and waterways.
An “illicit discharge” is any substance that is released into storm drains other than stormwater. Some examples include dog waste, yard fertilizers, oil, paint, and sediment. Illicit discharges carry a variety of pollutants that are dangerous to public & environmental health. If you think you have identified an illicit discharge, please contact West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer Municipal Authority at (412)-466-6070. You can also fill out one of our illicit discharge complaint forms and drop it off, email, or fax it to us!
Every person in our community plays a very important role in MS4 to help us reach our regulatory goals. Pollution prevention goes along with good housing/property upkeep. As a property owner you can do the following to help with some of these pollution issues:
· Click here to read the Homeowners guide to Stormwater BMP Maintenance.
· Report illicit discharge to the West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer Municipal Authority.
· Consider a rain garden, or rain barrel to capture runoff.
Be Stormwater Smart (DEP) -https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/CleanWater/StormwaterMgmt/Pages/Be-Stormwater-Smart-.aspx
Quick Resource Guide (DEP) - https://files.dep.state.pa.us/EnvironmentalEd/Environmental%20Education/EnvEdPortalFiles/MS4%20Resource%20Guide.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency Stormwater Program (EPA) -
Check out Practical Engineering's video on "Where does Stormwater Go" on their youtube channel.
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