Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program Plan
A Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) includes all stormwater conveyances that are owned or operated by a federal, state, or local government entity. Stormwater that is conveyed in an MS4 does not discharge to a publicly owned treatment plant. The stormwater is discharged directly into the environment.
In 2003, as authorized by the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency required that all operators of small MS4s in urbanized areas apply for permit coverage. This permit requires a MS4 to implement a Program Plan to control the discharge of pollutants from their storm sewer systems to the maximum extent possible. In Virginia, this permit is known as the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Permit.
The purpose of this plan is to detail the Best Management Practices (BMPs) and associated goals for the following six minimum measures as defined by the VSMP Permit:
Public education and outreach
Public involvement and participation
Illicit discharge detection and elimination
Construction site stormwater runoff control
Post-construction runoff control for development and redevelopment
Good housekeeping and pollution prevention for municipal operations