MS4/CSO Information

For MS4 Communities

This section outlines areas where the minimum control measures for MS4 communities can be partially met or increased in effectiveness via green stormwater initiatives within Act 167. For a full list and explanation of the Minimum Control Measures, see this hyperlink.

Note: Minimum Control Measures #1 and #2 are not included because they deal with informing and educating the public about proper stormwater management; while there are areas where this can be included in an Act 167 ordinance, usually in the Article I General Requirements, that issue is not the focus here.

Aspects of Act 167 That Can Help You Meet PA DEP Requirements for MS4

Minimum Control Measure #3: Illicit Discharges
- Article VII: Prohibitions
  - Roof Drains
- Article VIII Enforcement and Penalties
  - Emergency Suspension Of MS4 Access
Minimum Control Measure #4: Construction Stormwater
- Article IV: Stormwater Management Site Plan Requirements
  - Stormwater Management Plan Contents
Minimum Control Measure #5: Post Construction Stormwater
- Article III: Stormwater Management Standards
  - Design Criteria
  - Erosion and Sedimentation Control Requirements
  - Groundwater Recharge
  - Water Quality and Stream Protection Requirements
  - Non-Structural Project Design Process (Sequencing to Minimize Stormwater Impact)
  - Riparian Buffer Zone
  - Stream Bank Erosion Requirements (Channel Protection)
Minimum Control Measure #6: Municipal Operations
- Article V: Operation and Maintenance
  - Municipal Stormwater Maintenance Fund

Act 167 and Pollutant Reduction Plans

Municipalities that discharge into a waterway with a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) may have to submit a pollutant reduction plan. In PA DEP's "Recommendations for Considering, Selecting and Financing Cost-Effective Urban Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to Achieve Pollutant Load Reductions," they suggest amending the municipal stormwater ordinance as a cost-effective way to manage pollutant discharge in to the MS4. Any of the provisions on this site, but especially those found under Article III, would be useful to municipalities looking to meet the requirements for reduced pollution loads.

In addition, they suggest a municipal stormwater fee system, like those outlined in the Municipal Stormwater Fees page on this site, as a method of defraying the cost of such measures.

For CSO Communities

The Pennsylvania DEP requires CSO communities to provide a description of "(1) measures to minimize or eliminate overflow(s) from the combined sewer system; (2) any other measures or documentation which ensures that water quality standards and effluent limitations are attained; and (3) any existing ordinances and/or management practices, measures currently implemented (practices other than which control the source of pollutants) to control infiltration and inflow, water runoff, and groundwater from entering the CSS system."

The following measures in an Act 167 ordinance can be useful to this effort:

Aspects of Act 167 That Can Help You Meet PA DEP Requirements for CSO Communities

Minimizing Stormwater Entering System
- Article III: Stormwater Management Standards
  - General Requirements
  - Erosion and Sedimentation Control Requirements
  - Groundwater Recharge
  - Non-Structural Project Design Process (Sequencing to Minimize Stormwater Impact)
  - Riparian Buffer Zone
  - Stream Bank Erosion Requirements (Channel Protection)
- Article IV: Stormwater Management Site Plan Requirements
  - Stormwater Management Plan Contents
- Article VII: Prohibitions
  - Roof Drains
Ensuring Water Quality Standards
- Article III: Stormwater Management Standards
  - Water Quality and Stream Protection Requirements
- Article VII: Prohibitions
  - Watercourse Protections
  - Waste Disposal Prohibitions

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