A Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) is a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) that is:

• Owned by a state, city, town, village, or other public entity that discharges to waters of the U.S.;
• Designed or used to collect or convey stormwater;
• Not a combined sewer; and
• Not part of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) (sewage treatment plant).

The California State Water Resources Control Board issued a Phase II Small MS4 General Permit (Permit Number CA000004, Water Quality Order No. 2013-0001 DWQ) which was adopted then became effective on July 1, 2013. The General Permit requires regulated small MS4s in urbanized areas, as well as small MS4s outside the urbanized areas that are designated by the permitting authority, to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage for their stormwater discharges. Each regulated MS4 is required to develop and implement a stormwater management program/approach to reduce and/or eliminate the discharge of pollutants from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) and effectively prohibit discharges of non-stormwater into its MS4, unless such discharges are authorized.

The overall goals of the Phase II MS4 General Permit are to a) reduce the potential impact(s) of pollution from urban areas on waters of the State and waters of the United States (U.S.) and protect their beneficial uses; and b) develop and implement an effective stormwater program that is well-understood and broadly supported by stakeholders.

Outreach efforts are made to inform residents and businesses about activities that could impact the local waterways. These activities include:

• Landscaping management - yard waste disposal and fertilizers/herbicide applications
• Pest control - pesticide application 
• Exterior pressure washing runoff
• Construction site runoff
• Outdoor vehicle maintenance
• Vehicle washing
• Pet waste management
• Home improvement equipment washing
• Trash

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