What is a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)?

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are categorized by population, and Lower Paxton Township is defined as a small MS4. Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA developed a multi-year, multi-phase program called the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Under Phase II of this program, small MS4s are required to obtain a permit for their storm water management system. A storm water management system consists of any pipe, ditch or gully, or system of pipes, ditches, or gullies, owned or operated by a government and used for collecting and conveying storm water.

About Our System

Lower Paxton Township's storm water management system consists of tens of thousands of feet of pipe along with hundreds of manholes and inlets that discharge into private facilities or local waterways. Generally, storm water facilities located within a public right-of-way are the responsibility of the Township. Facilities outside a public right-of-way are the responsibility of a landowner or a Home Owners' Association (HOA). There are instances of facilities located outside a public right-of-way where easements have been provided to the Township for maintenance.

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1. What is storm water? Is it the puddle our children splash in or maybe the little stream along the road after a downpour that runs into storm drains?
2. What is a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)?