StormwaterONE’s online course for Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operators is designed to cover some of the key components necessary for a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) to adhere to the sixth Minimum Control Measure (MCM) that an operator of an MS4 is required to include in its Stormwater Management Program (SWMP).

This control measure is required to meet the conditions of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.  As authorized by the Clean Water Act (CWA), the NPDES permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.

The Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Minimum Control Measure requires the MS4 operator to examine and then alter their own actions to help ensure a reduction in the amount and type of pollution that:

• Collects on streets, parking lots, open spaces, and storage and vehicle maintenance areas and is discharged into local waterways; and
• Results from actions such as environmentally damaging land development and flood management practices or poor maintenance of storm sewer systems.  Minimizing the potential pathways for contaminants carried in runoff is a key way to control pollutant discharges from MS4s.

This course will cover types and sources of pollution, MS4 implementation procedures including requirements of an operator, guidelines for development, and key components of the SWMP.  The MS4 inventory process is outlined in detail along with planning process key components, steps to generate and maintain the inventories, and determining fixed facilities and field programs.  Identifying potential pollutant generating activities are also discussed. The MS4 assessment process is included for fixed facilities and field programs to identify and select BMPs as well as defining BMP objectives.

New construction, the Construction General Permit (CGP), the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) are discussed focusing on requirements and mandates that must be upheld to stay in compliance on a construction site.

The following BMPs are detailed including: Construction waste, material storage, secondary containment, dust control, track out, street sweeping, and general pollution prevention standards.  Pavement cleaning, litter control, and equipment and vehicle cleaning guidelines are included. Spill reporting and spill kits on construction sites are also covered.

MS4 recordkeeping, construction site recordkeeping, the Notice of Intent, signed certifications, and the MS4 Annual Report are explained in this course.  Additional resources are provided from the EPA and other stormwater agencies.