Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4)

Public Notice

The City of Huntington, Indiana (City) intends to discharge stormwater into the following watershed names and Hydrologic Unit Codes:

• Mud Creek-Little River – 051201011103
• Flint Creek-Little River – 051201011104
• Town of Andrews-Wabash River – 051201011303
• Headwaters Clear Creek – 051201011202

The City is submitting a Notice of Intent letter to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to comply with the requirements of the MS4 General Permit for discharging stormwater runoff.

Questions or comments should be directed to:

What is MS4?

MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. It refers to a system of conveyances (e.g., storm drains, pipes, ditches) owned by a public entity that discharges to U.S. waters and is designed to collect or convey stormwater. It excludes combined sewers and publicly owned treatment works.

The MS4 Program is an unfunded federal mandate requiring municipalities to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff to improve water quality. Huntington is a Phase II community under this program and must comply with 327 IAC 15-13.

The MS4 is permitted under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) through IDEM. Permits are renewed every five years.

Responsibilities

The City of Huntington must effectively manage and protect its stormwater system to improve runoff water quality, guided by the Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) and six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs):

• MCM 1: Public Education and Outreach
• MCM 2: Public Involvement and Participation
• MCM 3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
• MCM 4: Construction Site Runoff Control
• MCM 5: Post-Construction Storm Water Management
• MCM 6: Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping at Municipal Operations
• To learn more, explore these documents:
• Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SQMP) Part C (PDF)
• SQMP Part C Update (2011) (PDF)
• SQMP Part B – Baseline Characterization Report (PDF)
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Plan (PDF)

Publication Resources

• "After the Storm" brochure (EPA) (PDF)
• "Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution" brochure (EPA) (PDF)
• "Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff" brochure (EPA) (PDF)
• Water Cycle Glossary of Terms

Additional Information

To learn more about the MS4 and stormwater programs, visit:

• U.S. EPA Stormwater Program
• "After the Storm" website (EPA & Weather Channel)
• IDEM Storm Water Permitting
• EPA Nitrogen and Phosphorus Pollution
• IDEM Watersheds and Nonpoint Source Pollution

Stormwater Standards

• Stormwater Development Manual (PDF)
• Stormwater Standard Details (PDF)