MS4 Program Overview

Discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) are regulated under the Virginia Stormwater Management Act and the Clean Water Act. MS4 regulations were developed and implemented in two phases. The second phase of MS4 regulations, which became effective March 23, 2003, require that operators of small MS4s in "urbanized areas" (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau's latest decennial census) obtain permit coverage for stormwater discharges. Small MS4s include storm sewer systems operated by cities, counties, towns, federal facilities such as military bases, Department of Defense facilities and parkways, and state facilities such as VDOT, community colleges and public universities. The City of Suffolk is considered a small MS4 operator, permitted under the Virginia Stormwater Management Program MS4 General Permit; permit# VAR040029.

Small MS4 programs must be designed and implemented to control the discharge of pollutants from their storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable in a manner that protects the water quality in nearby surface waters and wetlands.

• The VSMP MS4 General Permit requires that small MS4s develop, implement and enforce a program that includes the following “six minimum control measures":
• Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts.
• Public involvement and participation.
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination.
• Construction site stormwater runoff control.
• Post-construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment.
• Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.

Each of these minimum control measures has multiple requirements that the City of Suffolk must accomplish as part of its stormwater management program. To meet these requirements, the City has developed a stormwater program plan with proposed best management practices to help reduce the negative affects of stormwater runoff. The best management practices to be implemented by the City to meet the requirements of the MS4 General Permit are described in the City’s stormwater program plan and annual report.

The Department of Public Works, Engineering is responsible for the administration of the City of Suffolk’s Stormwater Management program. Public Works, Engineering maintains the City’s VSMP MS4 General Permit, ensuring compliance with State and Federal stormwater regulations.

In compliance with the VSMP regulations found at 4VAC50-60-1240, the City’s permit documents have been made available below.

• City’s VSMP MS4 Permit Registration Statement
• VSMP MS4 General Permit
• Annual Report - 2010
  

Additional MS4 Permit information can be found at:

• Small MS4 Program Overview
• http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_and_water/vsmp.shtml
• http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/permreq.cfm