MS4 – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
The MS4 permit program is designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants to surface waters of the State of Michigan. For our permit it includes drains, open or enclosed, that only convey stormwater.
Why does Ottawa County have an MS4 Permit?
- The Clean Water Act of 1972 initiated the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. This set an important principle that discharge of pollutants to waters of the state is not a right. These NPDES permits control the discharge of pollutants into waters of the state.
- The EPA delegated authority for Michigan (EGLE) to administer the program in 1973.
- The MS4 permit, a type of NPDES permit, was added to the Clean Water Act in 1987.
- The Phase II regulation was implemented in 1999 requiring MS4s within urbanized areas to obtain an MS4 permit. This is when Ottawa County was required to have one. The MS4 permit is held by the county and managed by the Water Resources Commissioners office.
What does our MS4 Permit allow?
Authorized outfalls and points of discharge: Requires us to control and monitor these while identifying problems and potential illicit discharges.
- Requires that we do not cause or contribute to (R 323.1050 of the Water Quality Standards) for designated use such as: turbidity, color, oil films, floating solids, foams, settleable solids, suspended solids, or deposits.
What does our MS4 Permit require of us?
Storm Water Management Program (SWMP)
- Implements Controls to minimize pollutants to the maximum extent practicable.
- Requires an Emergency Response Procedure, Public Participation Program, and Public Education Program.
- Illicit Discharge Elimination Program (IDEP): This includes identifying Illicit discharges at outfalls/points of discharge and illegal dumping/spills. A procedure for responding to illicit discharges and pursuing enforcement action if required.
- Maintaining Best Management Practices (BMPs): This requires us to maintain structural and vegetative BMPs installed. Examples of these include: catch basins, retention/detention ponds, Leach Basins, Forebays, Bioswales, etc.
- Outfalls, points of discharge, and BMPs are inspected at least once every 5 years and maintained as necessary.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL):
- TMDL Implementation Plan: Requires Monitoring of TMDL twice per permit cycle. Identifies point and non-point pollution, as well as BMPs to reduce pollutants.
- Streams of Concern (Within Urbanized Areas):
- Bass River: Biota (sediment) and E. Coli
- Sand Creek: Biota (Sediment) and E. Coli
- Lake Macatawa: Phosphorus and E. Coli
- Streams of Concern (Within Urbanized Areas):
- Catch Basins Map
- TMDL Map
Forms & Resources
- IDEP Approval Letter
- Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping Program Handbook
- Outfalls & Discharge Points
- MPS NPDES Application – Response to Question 1
- Public Education Plan
- Standards & Specifications
- MPS NPDES Application
- MPS NPDES Application
- Macatawa PEP Letter
- MPS NPDES Application
- Parking & Entrance Map