Rochester Borough Sewer & Maintenance Authority MS4 Information

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued the Rochester Borough Sewer and

Maintenance Authority and Rochester Borough an NPDES Permit for Stormwater Discharges from its

small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The Authority’s MS4 system is inclusive of

inlets, catch basins, storm sewers pipes, swales, and stormwater detention facilities, among many other

facilities that collect, convey or manage stormwater. The MS4 Permit regulates discharges from the

Authority’s MS4 to the Waters of the Commonwealth with the intent of reducing the discharge of

pollutants and increasing water quality to the maximum extent practicable. To comply with the

requirements of the Permit, the Borough must implement a plan to address the following six Minimum

Control Measures (MCMs):

1. MCM 1 – Public Education and Outreach

2. MCM 2 – Public Participation and Involvement

3. MCM 3 – Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

4. MCM 4 – Construction Site Runoff Control

5. MCM 5 – Post-Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and

Redevelopment

6. MCM 6 – Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

Residents Roles in Helping to Prevent Stream Pollution

Borough residents can help reduce the discharge of pollutants to the streams and protect water quality by

doing the following:

1. Never dump anything besides stormwater into a storm drain, inlet, swale or stream. Dumping in

these areas is an Illicit Discharge and is a violation of the Borough Prohibited Discharge

Ordinance.

2. Report Illicit Discharges. If you observe anyone dumping anything into the MS4 system, or

notice a non-stormwater discharge entering the MS4 or a stream, immediately notify the Borough

at (724) 728-1904.

3. Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste. Pet waste should never be disposed of in a storm

drains, inlet, catch basin or stream.

4. Wash vehicles such that wash water does not enter the MS4. Wash vehicle in lawn or gravel

areas, or take them to commercial car washes.

5. Recycle or properly dispose of hazardous materials including paints, used oil and chemical.

6. Pick up litter, debris or garbage from yard, sidewalks, driveways and other areas so that it is not

washed into a storm drain.

Additional Resources:

Stormwater/MS4: Text