In many places, this stormwater runoff is conveyed through distinct sewer pipes that bypass the wastewater treatment plants and discharge the polluted runoff directly into our streams and lakes.
Luckily, there are laws out there that protect our waters from polluted stormwater runoff.
Under the NPDES program, the Environmental Protection Agency began issuing Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits almost 30 years ago.
In order to obtain coverage under an MS4 permit, permittees, including municipalities, must implement a Stormwater Management Plan (“SWMP”).
PADEP issued its first general permit for MS4s in 2003.
Although each permit is only supposed to be effective for five years, the PADEP’s second MS4 general permit did not become effective until 2013.
Thanks to PennFuture’s diligence, PADEP was required to include these more stringent conditions in its next MS4 general permit proposal.
This summer (2017) municipalities must prepare pollution reduction plans (PRPs) and make these plans available for public review and comment.
The PRPs assist MS4 municipalities to understand their obligations regarding “impaired” waters and must include the following: A detailed map, An explanation of the current pollutant loads in local waterways, A description of best management practices (BMPs) to be implemented over the five year term of the permit and demonstration that these BMPs will reduce pollutants by specified amounts, A description of how the municipality expects to pay for implementation of their plan, and A description of the operation and maintenance of proposed BMPs.
How you can make a difference: If you live in an MS4 municipality and stormwater is polluting your local waters or causing damage to property, infrastructure, or drinking water near you, reviewing and commenting on these plans in your opportunity to encourage your municipality to properly address these problems.