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<br />Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) Program Overview • wq-sw1-04 • March 2008 <br />page 2 <br />is encouraged before the re-issuance of new MS4 <br />general permits and before the creation of new MS4s. In <br />addition, the public is asked each year to share its <br />opinion on plans the owner or operator of their local <br />MS4 has made to manage stormwater. These opinions <br />are shared at local meetings required by the permit. <br />Requirements of the <br />MS4 General Permit <br />All owners or operators of MS4s are required to satisfy <br />the requirements of the MS4 general permit; <br />Minneapolis and St. Paul are required to meet <br />customized individual permits, which are similar but <br />which contain additional requirements. <br />Basically, the MS4 general permit requires the MS4 <br />operator or owner to create a Stormwater Pollution <br />Prevention Program with six important components: <br />1. Public education and outreach, which includes <br />teaching citizens about better stormwater <br />management <br />2. Public participation: Include citizens in solving <br />stormwater pollution problems. This includes a <br />required public annual meeting and an annual report. <br />3. A plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharges to the <br />stormwater system (like chemical dumping and <br />wastewater connections) <br />4. Construction-site runoff controls <br />5. Post-construction runoff controls <br />6. Pollution prevention and municipal “good <br />housekeeping” measures, like covering salt piles and <br />street-sweeping. <br />Reducing Stormwater Pollution <br />The MS4 general permit is a requirement, but also a tool <br />in the hands of city, township and county officials who <br />want to improve the quality of lakes and rivers that <br />receive their stormwater discharges. MS4 administrators <br />have can improve the quality of life for their citizens by <br />protecting and restoring local water quality. <br />Citizens served by an MS4 are invited to encourage the <br />owner or operator (normally their city, township or <br />county) to tackle stormwater pollution problems, but the <br />responsibility for water quality is not left in the hands of <br />public officials. <br />Public and private spaces contribute to urban stormwater <br />pollution. While MS4 administrators control the public <br />sources of stormwater pollution, it’s ultimately in the <br />hands of private citizens to change the way they do small <br />things that will have a dramatic effect on the quality of <br />their favorite fishing spot or swimming beach. <br />Simple Steps for <br />Better Water Quality <br />You can make simple changes to reduce stormwater <br />pollution and improve the quality of your local lake or <br />river by following these tips: <br />• Fertilize established lawns with phosphorous-free <br />fertilizer and don’t overspray fertilizer into the street. <br />• Rake leaves and sweep grass clippings away from <br />curbs. Clean curbs mean clean water. <br />• When you wash your car or truck, direct water onto <br />your lawn to soak up soap. <br />• Find attractive alternatives to large, impervious <br />driveways and sidewalks. <br />• Direct your home’s gutters onto your lawn. Water that <br />doesn’t make it to the curb can’t carry pollutants to lakes <br />and streams. <br />Detailed Information <br />For more detailed information about the MS4 general <br />permit or for further information about reducing <br />stormwater pollution, please visit the MPCA stormwater <br />program Web site: www.pca.state.mn.us/stormwater