Waste Water Management (MS4)

MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER (MS4) PROGRAM

Municipalities throughout the country are under a federal mandate requiring a stormwater management program for reducing pollution impacts from stormwater runoff. In 2003, Emsworth Borough was issued a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency. Implemented through the Clean Water Act, the permit’s numerous requirements are through six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs). Progress on the six MCMs is assessed primarily through MS4 Annual Reports submitted every September to the PADEP. These six MCMs consist of the following:
• MCM #1 Public Education and Outreach- Educate the public on stormwater pollution and prevention through various distribution methods.• MCM #2 Public Involvement and Participation- Promote environmental events for the public to participate.• MCM #3 Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination- Develop, implement, and enforce a program to detect and eliminate stormwater pollution.• MCM #4 Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control- Reduce stormwater pollution from construction sites within the Borough.• MCM #5 Post Construction Stormwater Management- Encourage activities such as low impact development, a post construction runoff ordinance, and operation and maintenance of stormwater best management practices. • MCM #6 Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping - Educate and train municipal staff to prevent and reduce stormwater pollution from municipal buildings and operations.
Community stream cleanup event
As a Resident, How Can You Help?
Being informed on stormwater management is a great way to help the Borough meet regulatory compliance for its permit. Reading through the articles below can provide valuable knowledge on stormwater. By being an informed citizen, you can help mitigate or stop the harmful effects of stormwater pollution. Getting involved at environmental events (stream cleanups, recycling, composting, etc.) and reporting stormwater pollution to the Borough are ways that you can improve stormwater management within Emsworth Borough.
Example: Soaps, Grass Clippings, Pet Waste
Reporting Stormwater Pollution
Stormwater pollution is a detrimental problem to our environment by degrading water quality in the streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Prohibited non-stormwater discharges that enter into the storm drain and result in pollution to our waterways are commonly referred to as illicit discharges. Examples of illicit discharges include fuel and gasoline, construction sediment runoff, soaps and detergents, paint, grass clippings, pet waste bags, wastewater, and many more. If you suspect any illicit discharges, please report to the Borough through 412-761-1161 or emsworthborough@comcast.net
Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP)
As part of Emsworth’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit that was reissued by PADEP in March 2018, the Borough is required to prepare and implement a Pollutant Reduction Plan (PRP). In September 2017, the Borough prepared and submitted to DEP the PRP plan for the Lowries Run watershed. The goal of the PRP is to reduce pollution caused by sediment and/or nutrients in impaired streams by constructing stormwater management projects that provide water quality benefits. Such projects include stream restoration, rain gardens, wet ponds, inlet filters, etc. The Borough is currently working towards the 10% sediment reduction goal by looking at potential stream restoration projects.
Example: Stream restoration project
RAIN BARREL POSTER
Q1 - 2024 RAIN BARREL ARTICLE
CAR WASH INFORMATION
HOMEOWNERS GUIDE TO STORM WATER MAINTENANCE
MS4 STORMWATER EDUCATIONAL ARTICLE
WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN? HOW DOES IT WORK?
RAIN GARDENS: A WAY TO ELEVATE WATER QUALITY
HOW TO BUILD A RAIN GARDEN IN YOUR YARD
GRASS CLIPPINGS, LET THEM FALL WHERE THEY MAY!
Stormwater Educational Information Videoso What is an MS4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAqV4dPpAT8o Stormwater Basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBhzpZD8i8so Where Does the Stormwater Go?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdcXmerZWDco EPA: The Scoop on Stormwater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grWVQjNtLuso Managing Stormwater Runoff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7crGd6E0Fsko Where Does Stormwater Go?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BliZY3k_u1wo Green Infrastructure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQw1ohQjslEAt-Home Educational Activities and Gameso Build Your Own Rain Barrel: https://water.unl.edu/documents/Build%20Your%20Own%20Rain%20Barrel%20opt.pdfo Stormwater Walk: https://water.unl.edu/documents/Stormwater%20Walk%20opt.pdfo EPA WaterSense Game: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-kidsWorksheets and Coloring Bookso Coloring Activity: https://water.unl.edu/documents/20120829%20Sleuth%20Coloring%20Sheets_KP%20Edits.pdfo Activity Worksheet: http://www.newea.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Dwayne_activities.pdfo Dwayne the Storm Drain Coloring Book: http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/publications/dwayne/dwaynebook.pdfo EPA Activity Sheets for Kids: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-kids o Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Worksheets for Kids: https://www.watershedcouncil.org/stormwater-for-kids.html External Links PADEP: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/CleanWater/StormwaterMgmt/Stormwater/ pages/default.aspx EPA: https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources 3RWW: http://www.3riverswetweather.org/ Allegheny CleanWays: https://www.alleghenycleanways.org/

Storm Water Management Understanding the MS4 Program There is no doubt about it – stormwater management in Pennsylvania is a multi-layered, multi- jurisdictional, ever-changing quagmire of rules, regulations and requirements. Borough residents are often angered by the need to have the sewer lateral tested prior to the sale of property or the stringent stormwater controls required for construction. It is hoped that this article will help residents understand why these requirements are in place. As you will see, these requirements are mandated by Federal and State laws. What is the MS4 Program? Untreated or uncontrolled storm water runoff is the number one cause of impairment in our local waterways. Polluted runoff is often transported through municipal drainage systems until it eventually discharges into streams, lakes, and rivers untreated. An MS4, or Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, is comprised of drainage systems including streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ponds, ditches, man-made channels and storm pipes owned by a state, county, city, town, township, borough or other public entity. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water Phase II regulations require permit coverage for storm water discharges from MS4s, mainly those located in urbanized areas. Therefore, most townships and boroughs, including Emsworth, are required to comply with the MS4 Program. MS4 Programs are intended to improve our nation’s surface waters by reducing the quantities of pollutants that are picked up by runoff and transported into the storm sewer systems during rainfall events. As part of the MS4 Program, municipalities hold a permit to discharge storm water into local waterways. This permit requires the municipalities to implement and maintain a storm water management program that (1) reduces the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent possible; (2) protects water quality; and (3) satisfies the water quality requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act. In Pennsylvania, the MS4 program is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The MS4 program has six elements termed “minimum control measures” that when implemented should result in significant reduction in pollutants discharged into receiving waters. The six minimum control measures and the actions required include the following:Public Education and Outreach - Distribute educational materials and conduct outreach to inform citizens about the impacts that storm water runoff has on water quality. Public Participation/Involvement - Provide opportunities for citizens to participate in the storm water management program or other programs which improve water quality. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination - Develop and implement a plan to detect and eliminate non storm water discharges into the storm water system. Construction Site Runoff Control - Develop, implement and enforce an erosion and sediment control program for construction site activities that disturb one acre or greater. Post-Construction Runoff Control - Develop, implement and enforce a program to address discharges of post-construction storm water runoff from new development or redevelopment areas. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping - Develop and implement a program that reduces or prevents pollutant runoff from municipal operations. All municipalities should be committed to improving water quality through better management of stormwater runoff. Every resident can participate in their municipal stormwater program by reducing or preventing pollutant runoff from their own property and by reporting any non-storm water discharges into the Borough’s drainage system. What can we do to help keep stormwater clean? There are numerous things we can all do on a daily basis to keep pollution out of our waterways. The following are just a few things we can all do to help improve water quality in our streams, rivers and lakes: 1. Never dump anything into storm drains, swales or streams.2. Pick up litter from the street before it gets into storm drains.3. Use limited amounts of fertilizer.4. If you must use pesticides, search for an environment-friendly brand.5. Recycle motor oil, paint, and other hazardous chemicals. Never dump such materials down thedrain or into the storm system.6. Recycle glass, plastic, and aluminum.7. Always pick up your pet's waste or harmful bacteria can get into our water! What types of connections are prohibited? The following connections are strictly prohibited: · Any drainage pipe, channel or ditch, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows non-storm water discharge, including sewage, process wastewater, and wash water, to enter the storm sewer system, and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks.· Roof Drains - Roof drains shall not be connected to streets, sanitary or storm sewers or roadside ditches, except when it is more advantageous to connect directly to streets or storm sewers. Connection of roof drains to street or roadside ditches may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Roof drains shall discharge to infiltration areas or vegetative BMPs (Best Management Practices) to the maximum extent practical. This will help to promote groundwater recharge and reduce runoff.· Waste disposal prohibitions – It is illegal to dispose of or leave any refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded materials in any public or private property, driveway, parking area, street, alley, sidewalk or other component of the Borough’s storm sewer system so that such materials may cause or contribute to pollution. Garbage deposited in streets in proper waste receptacles for the purposes of routine collection is exempted from this prohibition.· Any drain or pipe connected to the municipality’s storm sewer system from a commercial or industrial land use which has not been documented in plans, maps, or equivalent records, and approved by the municipality.Please continue to read future newsletter articles on the MS4 program as the educational phase continues.