News/Media

MS4 Year 3 Coming to a Close

With the end of June 2021 rapidly approaching, another year of NPDES Phase II MS4 work draws to a close.  In summary, communities should have the following items completed by the end of June:

Year 3, July 2020 through June 2021 (current year)

• Screen all municipally-owned outfalls for flow and illicit discharge indicators during dry weather conditions
• Pass regulatory mechanisms covering stormwater discharges from sites disturbing 1+ acres during and after construction
• For most communities with a phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), prepare a funding source assessment as part of a phosphorus control plan
• Annual Requirements:
  • Inspect all municipally-owned stormwater structural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
  • Complete training on how to recognize and respond to a suspected illicit discharge 
  • Complete quarterly inspections for facilities with Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
  • Distribution of public education messages, including specific messages for bacteria and nutrient impaired waters
  • Annual report (due at the end of September)

If any of the above items (with the exception of the annual report) haven’t been finished, we recommend that communities work towards completing these items by the end of September for annual reporting purposes. 

Next year brings yet more requirements for communities.  As a brief summary, communities should be looking to complete the following items during Year 4:

Year 4, July 2021 through June 2022

• Assess existing regulations for ways to reduce impervious area and any barriers to implementing low impact development (LID) techniques
• Assess town-owned sites for potential retrofit opportunities
• For most communities with nitrogen or phosphorus impairments, complete pollutant source identification reports
• For most communities with a phosphorus TMDL, continue work on a phosphorus control plan
• Complete the annual requirements outlined above

If you would like assistance on any MS4-related items, please feel free to contact Nick Cristofori, P.E., at 800.725.2550 x303 or [email protected] or Rebecca Balke, P.E., at x308 or [email protected].