Polluted stormwater runoff is often transported to municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) and ultimately discharged into local rivers and streams without treatment. With the passage of the 1972 Clean Water Act, the quality of our Nation’s quality of waters has gotten better, however, close to 40 percent of all waters are still too polluted and do not meet the water quality standards.
The Phase II Rule defines small MS4 stormwater management programs as a program comprising of six elements that when implemented in concert, are expected to result in significant reductions of pollutants discharged into receiving waterbodies. The Stormwater Phase II Final Rule is the next step in EPA’s effort to preserve, protect, and improve the Nation’s water resources from polluted stormwater runoff, and is intended to further reduce adverse impacts on water quality and aquatic habitats by reducing the quantity of pollutants that stormwater picks up and carriers into storm sewer systems during storm events. Pollutants such as oil and grease on roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and even carelessly discard trash like cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles all damage the water quality and leads to the following such as discouragement of recreational use, causing drinking water to become contaminated, and causes hazardous and life threatening to habitats for fish, wildlife and other aquatic organisms.
West Virginia State University has an approved MS4 permit and is currently taking the appropriate steps to reduce stormwater pollution. West Virginia State University is currently implementing a stormwater management program or SWMP, created to reduce the discharge of pollutants from its small municipal separate storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable (MPE), to protect water quality and satisfy the appropriate requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The MS4 program elements are:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation/involvement
- Illicit discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Runoff Control
- Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
WVSU MS4 - BMP Spreadsheet
West Virginia State University’s Stormwater Management Program will not succeed without the support of the students, faculty, staff and visitors. Visit our website often for updates and events. Participate in campus organizations, provide feedback about the programs implementation and direction, review stormwater material and let’s all help improve the environment.
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