The U.S. EPA last week sent orders to 79 municipalities in south central Pennsylvania requiring improvements to their Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) programs. The orders require the municipalities to correct problems with their MS4 programs and come into compliance with their Clean Water Act permits. MS4s are publicly owned drainage systems, including storm drains, pipes, and ditches, designed to collect and convey stormwater runoff in urbanized areas.

“These actions are critical, since improperly managed stormwater can wash harmful pollutants into local streams and rivers,” said Shawn M. Garvin, Regional Administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. “EPA is committed to gaining compliance for the health of local waterways in Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay.”

An EPA news release noted that Improperly managed stormwater runoff from urbanized areas can damage streams, cause significant erosion, and carry excessive nutrients, sediment, toxic metals, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants downstream. The agency will provide compliance information to municipalities receiving the orders and will host a one-day conference on May 5 in Harrisburg to discuss the MS4 requirements of the Clean Water Act.

For more information about Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/munic.cfm