1. MS4 Permit and Storm Water Management Program Overview

3. What is an MS4 Permit? Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
A Storm Water Permit issued by TCEQ that covers storm water runoff from properties in the District
Purpose: to improve water quality by reducing the quantity of pollutants that storm water picks up and carries into storm sewer systems during rain events.

4. What is an MS4?
A conveyance or system of conveyances…owned by a Public Entity that discharges to the Waters of the U.S. and is:
Used for collecting or conveying storm water
Not a Combined (WW/SW) Sewer system
Not part of a Publicly-Owned treatment Works (POTW) system
MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System.
An MS4 is a conveyance or system of conveyances, like pipes, channels or ditches, that are owned by a Public Entity. In this case, the MS4 is the storm sewer system that is within the boundaries of the District. The MS4 includes all pipes, channels or ditches that are used to collect and/or convey storm water.
Not part of a publicly-owned treatment system, simply means that the water is not transmitted to a wastewater treatment plant that is owned by a state or local entity.
Why is it important?
Storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain (or snow) flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces, like streets, parking lots, sidewalks, etc. prevent the storm water from naturally soaking into the ground.
Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system. Once in the storm sewer system, it is discharged untreated to a creek, lake, river or other water body that is used for recreational purposes and/or drinking water supply. Unlike wastewater, storm water is not treated.

5. Why does this affect me?
This is the urbanized area map for the Houston urbanized area. It may be difficult to see, but the red hatched areas are considered “urbanized areas.” The District falls into an urbanized area.

6. What are the Permit Requirements?
The District must develop, implement and enforce a program to:
Reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable;
Protect water quality;
Satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act.

7. Storm Water Management Plan enforces us to have a:
Best management practices (BMPs) for each of six minimum control measures;
Measurable goals for each minimum control measure;
Estimated time to implement each measure;
Persons responsible for implementing program.
NOI includes operator information, billing information, SWMP contact information, and Certification statement.
SWMP – (What are you doing to do?) programs developed at time of submittal include:
BMPs, documents, training materials, measurable goals.
A timeline for the development and implementation of all programs and control measures.
Permit is issued on a 5-year permit term. All items in the SWMP must be implemented within 5 years.

8. What are the Six Minimum Control Measures?
Public education and outreach on storm water impacts;
Public participation/involvement;
Illicit discharge detection and elimination;
Construction site storm water runoff control;
Post-construction storm water management in new development/redevelopment; and
Pollution prevent/good housekeeping.
The SWMP must include best management practices for each of six minimum control measures. These BMPs must include measurable goals as well as an implementation schedule.

9. Public Education/Involvement
Business Education Program
Develop and distribute storm water quality educational materials
Add storm water educational information to District website
Student education
Public Involvement
Public Input Sessions
Storm Water Management Presentations
Through public education, residents gain an understanding of how their actions affect storm water quality and become more informed about storm water quality issues in their community. When citizens understand that poor water quality can result from common everyday activities, a major source of pollutants in storm water can be voluntarily eliminated. The District has committed to the following BMPs:
Development of a Business Education Program for area businesses that will assist the business in minimizing pollution. The District will evaluate developing specific guidelines certain types of businesses with higher pollution potential by developing a Clean Water Business Partner Program with businesses that have a higher pollution potential.
Fort Bend MUD No. 25 will develop and distribute printed materials on lawn and garden management, proper handling of household hazardous waste, pet waste, littering, commercial storm water impacts, waste management, and other storm water quality-related issues. This information may be distributed in the newsletter, bill inserts, or in new resident packages.
Fort Bend MUD No. 25 will use the District website to inform the public about the SWMP. The website will include information about non-point source (NPS) pollution and the impact that NPS pollution has on water quality. The web page will include general storm water quality information, as well as topics of interest to the general public such as litter control and proper management of pesticides, fertilizer, used oil, ad household hazardous waste.
The District will continue to sponsor an annual water quality and calendar contest through Macario Middle School and to provide resident calendars of the winners’ artwork to area schools. The District will also continue to provide additional book covers on specific storm water related issues to area schools.
Familiarizing the Board of Directors, staff, the regulated community, and the public on the requirements of the program will facilitate implementation of the SWMP. Public presentations will be available upon request.

10. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
Develop Illicit Discharge Policy
Develop map of storm sewer system
Implement Illicit Discharge/Dumping Hotline**
Develop screening, inspection and detection program
Database of businesses
The District will develop a policy to address illicit discharges to the MS4. The policy will prohibit illicit discharges and connections, prohibit all non-storm water discharges that contribute pollutants to the MS4, and prohibit illegal dumping.
The District will develop a map of the storm drainage system that shows the waters of the U.S. and the locations of all outfalls to the Waters of the U.S.
The District will develop procedures for receipt and consideration of information submitted by residents regarding illicit discharges, including illegal dumping. This hotline will be combined with the 24-hr emergency reporting number.
The District will develop a program that uses a combination of complaint-driven investigations and active detection and resolution. Active detection and resolution will include routine inspection to identify dry weather discharges. Dry weather discharges are often used as an indicator of improper or illicit discharges.
Utilize the District’s database of businesses. This database will assist in distribution of public education materials as well as identifying businesses that may be likely to have improper discharges. Mapping the businesses or listing key map locations provides additional information that will assist in investigating illicit discharges.
**Fines of up to $5, a day for each violation plus any other penalties provided by the laws of the State and to any other legal rights and remedies of the District.

11. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Annual District employee training
Evaluate existing procedures:
Structural control maintenance
Waste disposal
Spill prevention and response
As part of the evaluation of the existing regional storm water management system, an inventory of existing District-managed structural controls will be established. An inspection and maintenance schedule will be established for these structural controls to promote their effective operation for storm water quality treatment.
The District will establish a procedure for proper disposal of wastes removed from structural controls, or collected as a result of municipal operations.
The District will provide annual employee training, specific to each job classification to facilitate good pollution prevention practices.

12. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
Develop construction site runoff control policy
Site plan review
Implement reporting hotline
Contractor education
Conduct routine inspections and implement corrective actions
The District will develop a construction site runoff policy to require erosion and sediment controls, as well as enforcement provisions to ensure compliance.
The District will evaluate the site plan review process and develop procedures for a site plan review program that incorporates consideration of potential water quality effects of construction activities. The site plan review will include review of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs).
The District will develop procedures for receipt and consideration of information submitted by the public regarding construction site storm water controls. This hotline will be combined with the illicit discharge hotline.
The District will conduct an outreach program and prepare informational outreach materials for the development community. The District currently conducts one-on-one pre-construction meetings with contractors regarding construction projects. The District will incorporate storm water pollution minimization training for site operators and compliance with the storm water construction general permit into these meetings.
The District will develop procedures for a construction site inspection program and enforcement of controls. Storm water controls will be included in all construction inspections.

13. Post Construction Storm Water Management
Develop post-construction storm water management policy
Review procedures
Inspection of completed projects
The District will develop a policy to require management of post-construction storm water in new development and redevelopment. The policy will allow the District to develop, implement, and enforce a program to address storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment projects.
The District will integrate post-construction storm water quality requirements into inspection programs.
Inspectors will check completed projects for proper construction of permanent structural controls in compliance with approved plans.

14. What can I do? Learn more about storm water pollution prevention
CALL TOLL FREE to report Illegal Storm Sewer Dumping and save our waterways
The District’s Storm Water Management Plan is located at the District offices and information on storm water quality can be found on these websites.

15. Helpful Websites: For more information: www.waterdistrict25.com

16. QUESTIONS? 18230 Old Richmond Rd. Sugar Land, TX 77498 (281) 277-0129