MS4

Storm drainThis page provides general information for residents who want to educate themselves about the MS4 program and understand the role we all play in keeping our water clean.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) & Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Programs

Forks Township NPDES Permit No. PA|132237 (PDF)

The Clean Water Act is the federal legislation that governs stormwater management. Storm water point discharges to waters of the U.S. (pipes and drain pipes), and are regulated using NPDES permits. In 1999, federal regulations extended coverage of the NPDES program to local separate storm sewer systems (MS4's) serving populations less than 100,000.

Forks Township is required to comply with the NPDES program as a MS4 municipality. Under the NPDES storm water program, permittees must develop a stormwater management plan that provides the details of how the community will comply with the requirements of the permit.

Control Measures

Permits are based on a framework of six minimum control measures:

  • Public education and outreach
  • Public participation and involvement
  • Illicit discharge detection and elimination
  • Construction site runoff control
  • Post-construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment
  • Pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations and maintenance

Forks Township is actively involved in a variety of programs and initiatives to meet various statewide and national goals for clean water, but township residents have a role to play too. Working together, we will have a positive impact on our environment, and the water that is so important to us all. We hope that you will find this information useful.